Sunday, October 9, 2016

Connected Knowledge

         

Connected Knowledge 

 A learner is like the New York City subway system. The train system in NYC is one of the largest in the country and in order to service commuters well, it must make connections and transits to allow people to reach their destinations. Through these purposeful interactions and crossways of the train lines, the subway system is able to function efficiently on a daily basis. Similarly, learners of today must connect with others and cross different paths in their quest in learning and gaining knowledge.

            In George Siemen’s article (2005) on Connectivism entitled Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age, this idea and perspective of learners having to connect with one another are expressed. He states, “We can no longer personally experience and acquire learning that we need to act. We derive our competence from forming connections” (Siemen, 2005). This is a profound statement. As explained in the article, considering we must have different forms of knowledge in order to keep up with its exponentially growth in our digital and technological age, learning from other people’s experiences is imperative. This could only be done through establishing and developing networks and connections to learn from one another. In Connectivism, learning (i.e. “actionable knowledge”) can happen through external means, making “the connections that enable us to learn more…more important than our current state of knowing” (Sieman, 2005).   

In the video The Changing Nature of KnowledgeSieman further elaborates on the notion that knowledge is not only within someone’s mind as viewed in traditional learning theories (i.e. behaviorialism, cognitivism, and constructivism), but that knowledge is accessible and sought from others. Moreover, he addresses the view that knowledge is constantly evolving and because of this, people are now relying on the connections formed with one another. Sieman states, “The network becomes the learning, the network that learners create.” This network of gaining knowledge externally is what is essential because of the fact that knowledge is constantly changing. What is relevant now, may become irrelevant and obsolete as Sieman mentions. Through connections, learners can stay up to date in their continual pursuit of knowledge.  





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