George Siemens:The Theory of Connectivism

ED 530 Theorist PresentationFall Semester 2010

Nathan Shorb

Background and Biographical InfoPhoto by S. Downes, http://www.elearnspace.org/about.htm

George SiemensBorn in Mexico, now living and working in CanadaFounder and President of Complexive Systems Inc.Author of Knowing Knowledge (2006), and

Handbook of Emerging Technologies for Learning (2009)

Worked as Associate Director of the Learning Technologies Centre at University of Manitoba

Now works with Technology Enhanced Knowledge Research Institute at Athabasca University

Background and Biographical InfoPhoto by S. Downes, http://www.elearnspace.org/about.htm

George SiemensResearcher working to develop

“integrated learning structures for global strategy execution”

Works as a “social media strategist” involving “planning, researching, and implementing social networked technologies, focusing on systemic impact and institutional change”

Background and Biographical InfoPhoto by S. Downes, http://www.elearnspace.org/about.htm

George SiemensLearn more about his current work:

◦TEKRI at Athabasca University◦elearnspace.org

Theory of Connectivism

What is Connectivism?A learning theory first presented by

Siemens and Stephen Downes in 2005Takes into account changes in learning

due to technology, not included in most common theories such as behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism

Considers increase of information, knowledge, and its sources in the digital age

Theory of Connectivism

Past theories think of learning as mostly an individualized and internal process

Now, learning theories must include the use of technology (storing, supplying and manipulating information) and making connections, as well as creating useful information patterns

Connectivism views learning as building and using a network, not stockpiling information in and for oneself

The Network of Connectivism

Network = connections between entitiesPieces of knowledge (including their

sources) are connected to create an integrated whole

Competition exists as some “nodes” of information are more valuable than others

Strong and weak connections may be equally as valuable at some point

The ability to retrieve informationand use connections is key

Foundation of Connectivism

Learning can reside outside oneself within our ever-changing networks

Presence of connections more important than our current level of knowledge

Change in networks is not necessarily under our control

Most important: discerning relevance of information and criticalness of changes

Principles of Connectivism

As stated by Siemens:◦ Learning and knowledge rests in a diversity of opinions.◦ Learning is a process of connecting specialized

information sources.◦ Learning may reside in non-human appliances.◦ Capacity to know more is more important than what is

currently known.◦ Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed for

continual learning.◦ Ability to see connections between fields and ideas is a

core skill.◦ Staying accurate and current is the intent of all

connectivist learning activities.◦ Decision-making is part of the learning process. What is

good and true today could very well change tomorrow because of the factors surrounding the decision.

Implications of Connectivism

Management and leadership: diverse teams are important for fostering and exploring ideas

Media, news, information: challenged by new technologies being open, real-time, and two-way

Personal knowledge management considers organizational knowledge management

Design of learning environments: collaborative rather than static

Conclusions of Connectivism

“Our ability to learn what we need for tomorrow is more important than what we know today. A real challenge for any learning theory is to actuate known knowledge at the point of application. When knowledge, however, is needed, but not known, the ability to plug into sources to meet the requirements becomes a vital skill. As knowledge continues to grow and evolve, access to what is needed is more important than what the learner currently possesses.”

-Siemens

References

“About George Siemens,” elearnspace.org. January 8, 2010. http://www.elearnspace.org/about.htm

“Connectivism,” Wikipedia.org. December 23, 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectivism

“George Siemens,” Wikipedia.org. December 14, 2009. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Siemens

Siemens, George. “Connectivism:A Learning Theory for the Digital Age.” Instructional Technology and Distance Learning. January 2005. http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm

Siemens, George. “Learning in Synch with Life: New Models, New Processes.” Accessed February 1, 2010. http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/google_whitepaper.pdf