Part A) Learning Theories PLN Post
After watching "5 Learning Theories Digital Stories" as a part of my weekly interactive lecture, I learned the distinguishing factors and key aspects of 5 different learning theories: Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Constructivism, Connectivism.
Each theory represents different methods, styles, and explanation in regards to learning
I was then required to post 4 separate posts on my Twitter page, each reflecting my personal thoughts on each learning theory.
Below are screenshot of my posts.
Part B) Learning and Technology Theories Reflection
Of the 4 learning theories, - behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and connectivism - the one that best reflects by personal learning preference is, without question, connectivism.
Connectivism emerged in 2006 when George Siemens and Stephen Downs suggested that a new network-like style of learning is emerging with the advent of the internet age.
Unlike constructivism which also focuses on a “network” analogy, connectivism differs in that it does not focus on the actual “knowing” or internalization of discrete units of knowledge. Rather, the network in connectivism refers to the building and interconnecting of resources where one can quickly and easily access information.
In essence, it emphasizes the capacity to learn by extending one’s network of information sources, not unlike a PLN.
This method works best for me because as a child of the digital age, where google satisfies nearly every one of my searching needs, and where hardcopy sources would be my last option for gathering information, I find it simpler to know where to find the information rather than how to find the information. I am sure many modern day students can relate to this; the affordances allowed by technology allows us to simplify our lives by pruning connections that are inefficient while strengthening the connections that are useful.
One specific way in which technology can be used by a teach to promote learning via connectivism is, as mentioned previously, getting students to start something similar to a PLN. Sites such as Twitter, apart from being able to follow celebrities and other sources that are not conducive to learning, allows students to follow multiple sources of information at once, thereby making connections that facilitate connectivism. Even sites like Facebook are connectivist in nature as you make more connections to different sources, the more varied information is available to you.
Another example would be RSS feeds and Newsreaders. This would be useful in the context of research for a particular subject. Students could be kept up to date on current events for social studies by sampling various news sites, blogs, editorials, whatever. This provides students with tremendous capacity because they are no longer searching individual web pages and separately gathering sources. Instead, they have up to date information from multiple sources in one location. A true innovative time saver.
Finally, an online classroom much like eClass where students can not only have access to all of their pertinent school work but also participate in discussion forums, relevant chat groups, and sharing of information over a virtual classroom is an excellent way to promote learning via connectivism. This is also highly efficient because the context of the website guarantees an environment more suited to learning, unlike Twitter and Facebook, where potential for social distractions are high.
