REFLECTION OF CONNECTIVISM

How Has My Network Chang The Way I learn

As My knowledge increase my network has changed, by allowing me to obtained knowledge through several means. The rate of new information and availability increases every day. While, I am able to make connection and converse with peers through several means: With the use of discussion boards, Email, Skype and other tools. The discussion of class assignments with one another in groups is exceptional, without having to meet face to face. Through my network I am able to research my questions, discover new knowledge, gain different perspectives, and make more informed decisions about the information given. As my knowledge grow with learning, my networks expand with interest.  As the rate of new information and the availability increases, older information becomes obsolete, (Davis, Edmunds, & Kelly-Bateman, 2008) these networks will become more important to the world. It is the wealth of growth that causes me continue so that I can teach others while am an Instructional Designer

Which Digital Tools Best Facilitate My Learning

The best digital tools that facilitate learning for me is my course application, Tecnology Resource, and the Internet. Skype was also a great tool for me to interact with others. The Internet gives me access to libraries, people, websites, blogs, and other resources that I use to learn.  If I did not have the Internet the information that I’ve learned in class from my classmates would never have been possible. By using the Internet and other technology, such as the computer, it allowed me to have access to information rather than several years ago. As technology began to dominate the world, teleconferencing, and webinars allows our business and our social network to connect with each other. As my knowledge continues to grow I would create and incorporate mind map activity into my instructional design course curriculum, so that learners can expand their minds, about networks for learning and sharing information.

The Knowledge That I Gain When I Have Questions

I learn new knowledge by researching information that connects to the learning.  If I have questions I would e-mail the instructor about the understanding of the concepts.  As, I  continue seeking knowledge for my question I would turn to the Internet by using a search engines, such as Yahoo, Google, Wikipedia, etc. Once I have received the results I would see if it matches what I am looking for. Then I would determine whether to search further from the best query that connects to the material or question that I am seeking. Validity of information is very important to my research. If the source is not credible or authentic then I would disregard the information and continue to look further.

My Personal Learning Network Support or Refute the Central Tenets of Connectivism

The knowledge that I have gained from Connectivism is by creating a mind map that has given me tremendous knowledge. It helps me to realized complexity of learning, as I connect things together in my environment, and culture within my network, and how technology is connected to everything. I have realized that how much we learned through our network is very important. The information that is learned today with technology is different than the way we learn in the future. As, adult learners, we must consider these changes and adapt our knowledge to new knowledge. Each of us is unique in our own ways. No theory can state that one is better than the other. (Fenwick & Tennant, 2004) learning is a combination of the information that we gather. (Fenwick & Tennant, 2004). Connectivism presented the need of obtaining information quickly. With the invention of technology and information changing rapidly, networking communities are information that is needed to help us with our knowledge. With the use of my community network I would consider it as “the clustering of similar areas of interest that allows for interaction, sharing, dialoguing, and thinking.”(Kop & Hill, 2008 as cited by Siemens).

References

Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). 

Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved 8/7/2012 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism

Fenwick,T., & tenant, M. (2004). Understanding Adult Learners. In 

G. Foley, Dimensions of adult learning: Adult education and training in a global era. (p. 55). McGraw-Hill Education.

Kop, R., & Hill, A. (2008). Connectivism: Learning theory of the future or vestiage of the past? International Review of Research in Open & Distance Learning, 1-13.