Introducing Connectivism
Think about you need to find out about a selected subject, whether or not you want it in your profession or as a part of your academic journey. As a substitute of shopping for textbooks and learning them web page by web page, you strive one thing completely different. You take heed to podcasts from consultants on the matter, observe LinkedIn posts from researchers, watch YouTube explainers, be part of a associated Reddit neighborhood, and even have conversations on boards or group chats. Slowly, you handle to get a deep, sensible understanding of the subject with out ever resorting to conventional studying strategies. This sort of studying, which looks like making a community of sources, is precisely what connectivism pedagogy describes.
Launched by George Siemens and Stephen Downes within the early 2000s, connectivism means that studying isn’t just about what however how you discover and join data throughout a community. And since these days info is in every single place, from blogs and movies to boards and analysis papers, this idea is extra related than ever. Connectivism encourages us to connect with the suitable info once we want it, collaborate with others, and continually replace our data as new info comes up. Let’s break this down.
Key Traits Of Connectivism Pedagogy
George Siemens and Stephen Downes, two thinkers and educators, proposed connectivism pedagogy within the early 2000s. They noticed that within the digital age, studying is not nearly absorbing data. It is about navigating it—connecting with individuals, concepts, and sources which might be usually unfold throughout completely different platforms, cultures, and applied sciences. In different phrases, studying occurs throughout a community. At its core, connectivism means that data is not simply saved inside our heads anymore however distributed throughout a community of connections, together with different individuals, databases, instruments, and programs. Studying, then, isn’t a lot about memorizing info as it’s about discovering, evaluating, and making sense of the suitable info on the proper time.
A number of the key traits of connectivism are:
- Data is distributed throughout a community and never simply in a single place.
- Studying is about connecting with new sources, communities, and applied sciences.
- Choice making is a part of studying. Since info can change, deciding what to study, when to study it, and methods to confirm it’s an important talent.
Implementing Connectivism Pedagogy In eLearning
Private Studying Networks
If you wish to really embrace connectivist studying, you must fully abandon the concept that studying is linear and consider it extra like a community. As a substitute of sending each learner to observe the very same steps, why not give them a alternative? Consider your course as an internet of sources, the place learners can discover completely different instructions primarily based on what pursuits them. In spite of everything, real-world studying entails coming throughout articles, movies, and conversations that join in some ways. One simple strategy to begin is by providing non-compulsory studying paths or various case research. After a module, you possibly can share hyperlinks to podcasts, webinars, and even skilled interviews. These are referred to as private studying networks, and every learner decides what sources they’re going to observe on their very own. This flexibility provides them extra management over their studying journey, and that motivates them additional.
Content material Curation Assignments
Relating to studying in right now’s world, we have to train learners methods to curate info, not simply take in it. This implies to indicate them methods to collect, filter, and set up it meaningfully. That is the place content material curation assignments are available in. As a substitute of asking learners to easily memorize info, give them a mission the place they discover a subject, discover sources, and clarify why these sources matter. It is about coaching them to query a supply’s credibility, worth, and connection to present data. For instance, as a substitute of asking them to write down an essay on a topic, ask learners to create a curated studying record of the 5 finest related articles or podcasts. Every merchandise would come with a brief abstract and a word about why they selected it. Plus, content material curation initiatives really feel extra pure since learners get to observe real-world abilities they’re going to use in life, like analysis or essential pondering.
Collaborative Instruments
Connectivism pedagogy depends on collaboration, as we frequently have to attach our data with others’ to realize a greater understanding of the world round us. Collaboration additionally mirrors the way in which we really work and study in actual life: by means of sharing concepts, listening to others, and fixing issues collectively. So, how do you deliver that into an internet course? Begin by integrating instruments for shared writing, brainstorming, chatting, or video conferencing. It’s also possible to design group actions, reminiscent of reside problem-solving periods the place learners need to work collectively or pleasant debates on controversial subjects. In spite of everything, connectivist studying is about linking individuals, too.
Adaptability
The tech world is all the time altering, as are info, instruments, and even industries. Some of the priceless issues you are able to do in your eLearning course is to show learners methods to continue learning lengthy after the modules are full. Begin by giving them the fundamentals of methods to navigate info overload. Present them methods to fact-check sources, acknowledge credible info, and spot outdated statistics or biases. Subsequent, encourage them to remain versatile. Platforms and applied sciences are all the time evolving. Which means that a software they study right now is perhaps changed by one thing higher tomorrow. So, the aim is not to memorize each software on the market however to have the ability to choose up new instruments shortly.
Conclusion
As an Tutorial Designer or educator, possibly attempt to design for connection. Create areas the place learners can uncover, share, and develop their data networks. Connectivism is not right here to erase conventional eLearning, although. It is an vital addition, and it is a strategy to make your programs extra related to our related, fast-paced world. By combining connectivism together with your common educating strategies, you may create experiences that do not simply train info however empower learners to continue learning, questioning, and connecting sooner or later.
