The Influence of Connectivist Theory on My Learning

Many of the elements of connectivist theory resonate with me as I meta-cognate on how I learn many things. I don’t think it plays a big role in me learning that too many cookies at one time both make me sick and fat. I believe that behaviorism is at play there. Ultimately it will likely take the engagement and social/cultural participation on the effects of too many cookies to instill learning about changing that behavior. Connectivist theory is supposedly that learning mode which results from the networks I create that are either centered around the information I am ingesting or focusing on to achieve proficiency with. Within and among these networks and connections I alter, adapt, and assimilate my learning to keep up with a fast pace of acquisition within my world in general.

I very much agree that the pace of learning to keep up with new relevancies is swift. Quite honestly I do not keep up with the latest trends in tech tools and learn about their value as fast as I would like. I would generalize that of my surrounding geographic area and age group I tend to be toward the forward end of learning, but throw in the younger generations and I am overrun by their agile ability to absorb and integrate new information. For me, connectivism is the manner that I investigate and integrate new ideas and general information. The mechanism that I relate to as being connectivist learning theory is one I have utilized and has evolved into using technology.

When I am presented with the need to learn something new professionally or personally I tend to begin to explore the topic that relates to it. Before I go out to people I tend to go to recorded information. I love libraries and have enjoyed many hours “digging” for nuggets of information. As the article “Connectivism” by Davis, Edmunds, and Kelly-Bateman explains, Chaos theory is a component of connectivism. I see that when you gather information you tend to not move in a linear direction, but will come upon seemingly “unrelated events” that when put into a collection of events “studied together” can show relevance (Davis, Edmunds, & Kelly-Bateman. 2008). In this way what you come across in your search comes together in a new organized form of understanding. Networks that one applies to the search increase the learning. I have found that the wealth of knowledge the internet makes possible, and yes the there is the useless stuff, has changed the expectation of what an individual should know. An important element of my network when it comes to professional learning is that of my colleagues in education. I need to take what I am learning and say it, hear opinions of it, and combine all of that into the knowledge I need to test for reliability and validity. The same is true with my personal learning on the matter of interests for recreation or hobby. I like to discuss it so that I can put it into a useful form.

I think an area that I use Connectivist Theory the most is when I make an important purchase. The presentation “Connectivism via ’67 Mustang” (Lortz, Robinson, & Wals. 2009) within the web article “Connectivism” (Davis, Edmunds, & Kelly-Bateman. 2008) reminded me of the journey that I take if I decide to acquire an mp3 player, tool, or other purchase that involves many choices and dollars.

My next step that I have already begun is to incorporate more social technology into my world. Years ago I left newsnet in the dust and my many listserve worlds. It seems that it is time to rejoin the human race in a circuit board.