Connectivist Learning Theory

Connectivism is a theory of learning which espouses that knowledge exists in the world, not in the individual.  The individual, therefore, must make connections, social connections, to learn.  The building of connections by making intelligent social networking choises and keeping involved in maintaining these connections allows for the co-creation  of knowledge in our global, networked world.

Connectivism is similar to Vygotsky's activity theory in perceiving knowledge as existing in systems which people access through participation.  Similarity to Bandura's Social Learning Theory is that people learn by being in contact.  Connectivism emphasizes the role of technology on the way learners learn within network systems, including social networking.  Verhagen disputes the idea that connectivism is actually a learning theory, and instead calls it a perspective on learning.

...Socially Distributed Cognition (Hutchins, 1995), which explored how connectionist ideas could be applied to social systems. But also other theories that adhere to more classical views of cognition. The Activity theory (Vygotsky, Leont’ev, Luria, and others starting in the 1920s) that proposed that people are socio-culturally embedded actors, with learning considered using three features – involving a subject (the learner), an object (the task or activity) and tool or mediating artefacts. The Social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1962) and the assumption that people learn by watching what others do which was elaborated further in the Social learning theory (Miller and Dollard). The notion of Situated cognition (Brown, Collins, & Duguid, 1989; Greeno & Moore, 1993), that all knowledge is situated in activity bound to social, cultural and physical contexts; knowledge and learning that requires thinking on the fly rather than the storage and retrieval of conceptual knowledge. The concept of Community of practice (Lave & Wenger 1991) - it is through the process of sharing information and experiences with the group that the members learn from each other, and have an opportunity to develop themselves personally and professionally. Or even the idea of Collective intelligence (Lévy, 1994). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectivism)

Principles of connectivism

• Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions.
• Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources.
• Learning may reside in non-human appliances.
• Capacity to know more is more critical than what is currently known
• Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning.
• Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill.
• Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities.
• Decision-making is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to alterations in the information climate affecting the decision. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectivism)

References
•Siemens, G. (2004). Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age, International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, Vol. 2 No. 1, Jan 2005. Retrieved September 11, 2012, from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm
•Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: Learning as Network-Creation, Learning Circuits, November 2005, Retrieved    , from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/networks.htm
•Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing Knowledge. Retrieved December 24, 2008, from
http://ltc.umanitoba.ca/KnowingKnowledge/index.php/Main_Page
•Siemens, G. (2008). Learning and Knowing in Networks: Changing Roles for Educators and Designers. Retrieved December 27, 2008, from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper105/Siemens.pdf
•Siemens, G. (2008). Complexity, Chaos, and Emergence. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=anw8wkk6fjc_15cfmrctf8
•Siemens, G. (2008). New structures and spaces of learning: The systemic impact of connective knowledge, connectivism, and networked learning. Retrieved December 10, 2008, from http://elearnspace.org/Articles/systemic_impact.htm
•Connectivism: a new learning theory?, Pløn Verhagen (University of Twente), November 2009
•Connectivism: Learning as Network-Creation, Learning Circuits, November 2005
•Downes, Stephen. "What Connectivism Is". Retrieved 2009-01-28.
•Siemens, George; Stephen Downes. "Connectivism and Connective Knowledge". Retrieved 2009-01-28.
•Siemens, George. "MOOC or Mega-Connectivism Course". Retrieved 2009-01-28.