dimensions of a learning network
DESCRIPTION
In this talk I overview the major elements of Connectivism and learning network theory, explaining how networks are used to foster learning,and describing the properties of stable or effective networks. For audio please see http://www.downes.ca/presentation/258TRANSCRIPT
Dimensions of a Learning Network Stephen Downes
Na5onal Research Council Canada
October 6, 2010
The humour is in the listener
Find something you have in common
Bring them around to your point of view Make them laugh at themselves
Erin McKean
hKp://halfanhour.blogspot.com/2010/09/uniqueness-‐and-‐conformity.html
Image: hKp://www.imdb.com/media/rm3822688768/K0161180
Learning Networks, or Networks that Learn
Today’s Topic
Constraints and Condi5ons
The Personal Learning Environment
Using networks to learn…
Image: hKp://www.ce5s.ac.uk/members/ple/resources/edf.ppt
hKp://ple.elg.ca/
#PLENK2010
An instan5a5on of these constraints
A distributed learning environment The MOOC
hKp://connect.downes.ca/
Yesterday
AKemp5ng to understand using yesterday’s values…
Power, trust, incen5ve, propaga5on, broadcast, messaging What we saw were surface phenomena
That’s why we saw so many maps
Collec5ve Connec5ve Intelligence
David Reed: the power of peer is in the peer
Is the power of the brain in the neuron? Really?
hKp://www.downes.ca/post/43456
Organiza5on
We’re trying to understand society by collec5ng individuals
But a sand castle isn’t just a pile of sand
hKp://www.downes.ca/presenta5on/257
Image: hKp://pixdaus.com/single.php?id=25529
Connec5vism
Knowledge is distributed across a network of connec5ons
Learning is the ability to traverse and grow those networks
hKp://www.downes.ca/post/38653
Engagement and Empowerment
There is no curriculum, no body of knowledge
The product of learning is the learner
hKp://www.downes.ca/post/51122
Image: hKp://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2008/06/01/making_sense_of_new_technologies.htm
Fernando Flores Emo5onal For5tude
21st century skills
Complexity
It’s not that there’s nothing to learn
But that it’s complex, and needs to be navigated Not memorized
Image: hKp://www.gapingvoid.com/complicated128.jpg
hKp://www.downes.ca/post/48669
gRSShopper
A tool for learning networks
It func5ons as a node Not as part of a mass
hKp://grsshopper.downes.ca/
Learning is Immersive
We func5on as nodes in the network
Aggregate, remix, repurpose, feed forward Newmark: listen to people, repeat what they say, and then get
out of the way.
hKp://ple.elg.ca/course/?p=18
Learning is growth
We develop our neural net by par5cipa5on in the social net
That’s also how we develop the social net
hKp://www.downes.ca/post/53527
Networks, Network Theory
Two kinds of knowledge
Networks in general A common set of principles
hKp://www.downes.ca/post/33034
Image: hKp://tech5cker.net/2008/09/16/types-‐of-‐knowledge/
Metronomes
Self Organiza5on
hKp://salt.uaa.alaska.edu/dept/metro.html hKp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1TMZASCR-‐I
Principles of Associa5on
How networks learn = how networks form connec5ons
hKp://www.downes.ca/post/53544
Cascade Phenomena
Quality of network learning =
Retained and expanded capacity to form connec5ons Cascade phenomena (diseases, propaganda) = network death
hKp://www.downes.ca/post/53882
Network Structure -‐ Tree
Centralized, based on influence, trust
Characterized by power law, viral propaga5on, hierarchy
hKp://middleburydemocrats.wordpress.com/2008/09/28/college-‐democrats-‐gelng-‐obama-‐to-‐go-‐viral-‐no-‐really/
Network Structure -‐ Mesh
Distributed, discussion based
Balanced, democra5c Stable
hKp://www.daniel-‐lemire.com/fr/abstracts/DIVERSITY2008.html blog/using-‐email-‐to-‐uncover-‐hidden-‐social-‐networks/
The Limits of Scale Free
When networks are not limited by physical constraints
They tend toward network death
hKp://www.downes.ca/post/48579
Image: hKp://limitedfun.wordpress.com/category/photography/page/6/
Stable (Self-‐Organizing) Networks
Decentralize
Distribute Disintermediate
Disaggregate Dis-‐integrate
Democra5ze
(The Seman5c Principle) Dynamize
Desegregate
hKp://www.downes.ca/presenta5on/32
The Seman5c Principle
Autonomy – individual values, not collec5ve (or corporate) values
Diversity – each person has a dis5nct perspec5ve Openness – there are fluid boundaries, no ownership or walls
Interac5on – the knowledge is the network, not in the individual
Fernando Flores
Pluralis5c Networks
hKp://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_downes/252157734/
Your Business Takeaway
These values are not just abstract
They represent a shio in business values from ownership and control to stewardship, agility and stability
They should inform everything from management prac5ces to sooware purchases
hKp://www.downes.ca/post/38502
Stephen Downes
hKp://www.downes.ca