Practical Connectivism University of Alaska Fairbanks November 14, 2007 George Siemens

Schools & universities: ecologies for connections

A potential approach?

Certificate in Online and Blended Learning

Participants

Structured and self-directed

Content and Ecologies

Ecology & Conversation

Content

Connections Forming connections with experts outside of courses Learner-to-learner connections Connections to online communities/resources/journals/blogs

Forming connections with experts outside of courses

Learner-to-learner connections

Connections to online communities/resources/journals/blogs

How does evaluation occur? Demonstration of competence against established criteria Learner creativity Multi-modal Challenge: maintain authenticity by traditional standards Function of existing in the network

Demonstration of competence against established criteria

Learner creativity

Multi-modal

Challenge: maintain authenticity by traditional standards

Function of existing in the network

The Complete Cycle

Educator’s role Network administrator (Fisher) Atelier (JSB) Concierge (Bonk) Curator (Siemens)

Network administrator (Fisher)

Atelier (JSB)

Concierge (Bonk)

Curator (Siemens)

Learners role Way-finding Collaborative sensemaking Deep understanding Review, reflect, redesign

Way-finding

Collaborative sensemaking

Deep understanding

Review, reflect, redesign

Tools Distributed Connectable Permit learner voice Permit learner action (with, not for)

Distributed

Connectable

Permit learner voice

Permit learner action (with, not for)

How then does learning happen?

The connection is sufficient

Weak ties

Small worlds

Power laws

Hubs

Connectors

Understanding: function of network