Analyzing the obvious: Technological and social connections George Siemens November 6, 2008 Learning Technologies 2008

“ Schools we have today were designed around commonsense assumptions that had never been scientifically tested ” R. Keith Sawyer

“ Schools we have today were designed around commonsense assumptions that had never been scientifically tested ”

R. Keith Sawyer

The primacy of the connection

Symmetry

What is knowledge ?

What is learning ?

In what way is learning networked?

Neural, Conceptual, Social/external

Neural,

Conceptual,

Social/external

What is understanding?

Connections are to learning as atoms are to the physical world

Huh?

To understand how/why connections form...

And the patterns they exhibit...

Is to understanding learning

Learning opportunities are determined by how we interact with knowledge and others

What happens when the tools of control shift from educator to learner?

Technology as mediative and enabling

Our views of knowledge and learning dictate the shape of our institutions

What is a learning network?

What characteristics do they exhibit?

How do they differ from social networks?

Intentionality and focus

How do we foster deep understanding through networks?

Sustained participation in varying contexts Klein, Sources of Power

Our language for network learning is non-existent

Sociologists/mathematicians have theirs Weak ties Strong ties Power laws Cohesion Density Degrees of separation Cascades Etc.

Weak ties

Strong ties

Power laws

Cohesion

Density

Degrees of separation

Cascades

Etc.

We need language to describe learning as connectedness Quality of connection Connection attributes in relation to learning Expertise vs. Novice Social connections in support of learning

Quality of connection

Connection attributes in relation to learning

Expertise vs. Novice

Social connections in support of learning

Enormous research potential

Sensemaking

Wayfinding Darken

Are our institutions of learning designed to interact with information this way?

Effective implementation

Openness

Learner control

Belonging & Trust

Culture of sharing

Ecology

Websites and Newsletters www.elearnspace.org www.knowingknowledge.com www.connectivism.ca http://ltc.umanitoba.ca/wordpress/ [email_address]

www.elearnspace.org

www.knowingknowledge.com

www.connectivism.ca

http://ltc.umanitoba.ca/wordpress/

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