Connectivism

     This week as we studied Connectivism we were instructed to develop a mind map which illustrates our network connections.  Connectivism is defined as the integration of principles explored by chaos, network, and complexity and self-organization theories (Simmons, 2004). My network is divided into four different connections:

1. Social Interactions
2. Spiritual Interactions
3. Personal/Hobbies
4. Educational

     This network illustrates the way in which I learn.  I know longer write letters or have lengthy conversations with friends and family to keep up with their lives.  I now utilize social websites such as Facebook to stay plugged in to the people who matter to me.  I listed Google as a digital tool I use as a search engine and mail server.  I use the email server to have personal conversations with friends or family.  Several retailers send coupons and promotions to me by way of emails.  The need to purchase subscriptions to newspapers, mail-order catalogs, etc. has been replaced with the convenience of signing up with the vendor of choice to stay abreast of news or information of interest.

     The way in which I learn spiritually has also changed due to my network connections.  Traditionally, Sunday morning worship services required me to physically attend a service in a cathedral or church.  With the advent of streaming video, my church and several others of interest utilize streaming faith as a digital tool.  This network connection affords me the ability to experience my worship service from any place that I can access the internet.  Daily devotionals and other inspirational tools are readily accessed using this connection also. 

    

     Twenty years ago when I decided to go back to college the online option was not available to me.  Colleges and universities like Walden University now offer all learners the option of attending classes on campus sites or virtually from any location.  As more and more online classes are designed and made available, the way my nine year old will learn in the future will be fascinating; technology classes in India, China, and Japan will be easily accessible. Professionally I utilize several sites to extend my content knowledge, attain resources from other professionals in my field, and expose my students to visually stimulating videos and information.  Several teacher sites and blogs are used for finding the answers to questions I might have.

     Personal connections for my family are made using websites which have replaced the local travel agent.  Comparison shopping for the best hotel rates, flights, and vacation packages can now be accessed and selected within minutes.  

Technology and the connections we make have impacted every area of our lives.  What took human capital, extended time, and greater effort and expense, is now common practice for most of us.  It’s virtually impossible to imagine what our connections will look like in the next 5 years.

References:

Simmons, G. (2004, December, 12) Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age.   Retrieved from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm