Connectivism - Article review

 Over the course of the semester, we have learned about many interesting findings in the area of innovative teaching and learning and blended learning through research articles. I decided to review the one which is in the center of the all - connectivism (by George Siemens). 

This article underlines the nature of changes in the learning theories and discusses connectivism as a new progressive learning theory - the paradigm shift happening thanks to or due to the technological advancements in the world. The know how is being supplemented by with know-where which is making the ability to find information more important. 

Now considered conventional learning theories (behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism) all to certain degree agreed that knowledge is to be acquired via personal experiences and social constructivism being the latest of the three takes more individualistic approach and acknowledges the complex and unpredictability of knowledge acquisition. 

As Siemens mentions "Learning theories are concerned with the actual process of learning, not with the value of what is being learned." In our current reality where there are infinite sources of knowledge and information, the way how the needed information is processed becoming vital. Hence, finding connections and patterns between information sources is now critical and the means of getting the relevant information with the help of technology are key for effective learning in the modern era. 

In his article Siemens highlights 8 major principles of connectivism whereby there is not a single learning opportunity, rather it depends on different opinions and learning might be happening with the help of non-human appliances.

As the article was written in 2005 it does not fully foresee the impact of technology that we have in teaching and learning nowadays. We are exposed to so much information in different contexts and the learning is happening in a chaotic manner and it is the ability to connect the dots among the patterns what is making the learning happen. 

As an academic I have not been introduced to connectivism as learning theory prior to this module and it was one of the major discovery for me.   

(345 Words)