Connectivism

From our course readings this week, a central concept of Connectivism is that people gain knowledge by building networks involving multiple resources of people, technology, written materials, etc. In connection with the readings (no pun intended), we were asked to create a visual representation (mindmap) of our network connections.

This being said, it's important to revisit the principles of Connectivism which include (Davis, Edmunds, Kelly-Bateman, 2008):

1. Learning and knowledge rest in diversity of opinions.
2. Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources.
3. Learning may reside in non-human appliances.
4. Capacity to know more is more critical than what is currently known.
5. Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning.
6. Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill.
7. Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all Connectivist learning activities.

As I created this mindmap assignment, I realized how my network connections are interconnected and how much I rely on them. I trade knowledge with family, friends, co-workers and even people I may have never met in person simply by using the Internet to post and retrieve information.

Networks of knowledge have been described as entities with attributes being connected to other entities which provide the impetus for different attributes to be activated based on the structure of those connections and the nature of other entities that are being connected (Siemens, 2011). It is through my connections that I am able to build upon my knowledge and help others do the same. And, if for any reason my computer can not connect to the Internet I truly feel isolated and cut off from knowledge.

Last year I attended a conference hosted by one of the authoring software publishers that I use in developing web-based training and an idea mentioned by one of the presenters has stuck with me. He stated that people want instant access to expertise and if educators and corporate organizations haven't begun utilizing social networking, they are behind the times. Technological advances have not only provided us with instant access to expertise, but also a medium in which to share and grow our knowledge.

Very often when I'm developing an eLearning course, I am creatively designing ways to engage the learner while at the same time researching how to accomplish what I would like to do by searching web sites with tutorials, free graphics, and additional ideas for interactivity. When I find a great idea to incorporate into a course, I can immediately apply what I've learned which helps me remember what I've learned. Another way to remember what I've learned is in sharing this knowledge with my peers using webex, netmeeting, teleconferences or shared computer networks.

The connections displayed on my mindmap represent but a few of the connections in my network that support the central tenets of Connectivism.

 

 

References

Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism

Siemens, G. (2011). Connectivism blog. Retrieved from http://www.connectivism.ca/

How the Brain Works and Design

Not only does the “How Stuff Works” web site provide written information about how the brain works, explanations of short and long-term memory and how memories are retrieved, but also shows images of the brain as it describes how memories are encoded. In addition, there is assessment to test your memory, techniques for improving memory and related articles about further scientific study of the brain to unlock its mysteries. This is a great site read, see, and explore how the brain functions.

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/human-biology/human-memory.htm




Chunking refers to the information processing strategy of dividing large and/or complex information into simpler and/or smaller pieces so the brain can more easily digest new information. The reason the brain needs this assistance is because working memory holds a limited amount of information at one time. The article “Chunking Information” on the eLearning Coach site provides practical design strategies for eLearning courses: http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning_design/chunking-information/




Big Dog Little Dog's Performance Juxstaposition site provides the article: Reigeluth's Elaboration Theory for Instructional Design. Here designers find seven detailed steps for using the “chunking” method along with a variety of helpful design information including Gagne's nine steps of instruction, Rapid Instructional Design techniques, free design templates and more!

http://nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/learning/id/elaboration_theory.html

The Blogging Adventure

This week's class assignment has taken me to Internet places heretofore never explored by this soon to be well-versed blogger. I am a corporate training developer with some class-based design experience; however, my organization is transitioning much of its content to web-based delivery and I have been developing eLearning courses since early 2011. Three blogs that I have found contain interesting, meaningful, and relevant articles for my work are listed below.

Learning Solutions Magazine - http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/rssfeed/lsm.xml

Learning Solutions Magazine is the oldest and most trusted source for practical information on the strategies, tools, technologies, services, and best practices for the management, design, development, and implementation of enterprise-wide eLearning programs.  It is a publication of The eLearning Guild since 2002 and offers feature articles, case studies, reviews, interviews, spotlights, columns, snippets, tips, and news that you can use with confidence while making critical decisions to ensure your organization’s success with eLearning.  This magazine is published for anyone involved in the management, design, development, and implementation of eLearning in support of enterprise wide training efforts. 

As a former corporate trainer, The article by Marc Rosenberg: “All I Want for Christmas Are Some Great Teachers” provided some essential characteristics of great teachers and helped me better understand how great teaching skills can translate to great eLearning design and development – it's all connected!

The Rapid eLearning Blog - http://www.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/

Introduced to this blog in early 2011, I have found the articles and design techniques easy to understand and apply and visually appealing. The Rapid E-Learning Blog shares practical tips and tricks to help you become a rapid eLearning pro. It is hosted by Tom Kuhlmann who has over 15 years of hands-on experience in the training industry and currently runs the community at Articulate. Very often this blog also contains free resources and templates as well as links to additional resources which are also very helpful to people at all levels of design expertise.

Upside Learning Blog - http://feeds.feedburner.com/upsidelearning-blog

Upside Learning is a training outsource company established in 2004 and has developed hundreds of learning solutions for companies worldwide. Their blog focuses on solutions that impact business performance. It includes articles on Custom eLearning Development, Mobile Learning Solutions, Blended Learning, Rapid eLearning Development, Localizations, and Learning Management Systems.

Much of the information from this blog is relevant to my current position as training developer within my organization. One article from this blog that recently caught my attention is: “A Refreshing Take on User Design” which provided a summary of ideas for ideal user experience from a psychologist’s point of view.

A quick scan of additional articles has also piqued my interest including: “Measuring and Evaluation Learning – the Top Skills for L& D Teams” which focuses on the top skills needed for Learning & Development professionals and connects to evaluation practices I am currently involved with; and “What eLearning Should Learn From Games” provided a foundational understanding of the importance of how games embedded in eLearning courses can help promote learning transfer.