"How Do You Learn" Response

 

Zachary Anderson - 190356770 

EM 203 – OC1 

“How Do You Learn” Response 

Professor Robin Persad 

October 27, 2021   

Hello Friends! 

        My name is Zachary Anderson and I am studying Business Administration at Wilfrid Laurier University. Over the past six weeks, I have been taking the course EM203, which is; Learning in 280 Characters or Less. This course dives into how people learn in the digital world outlining the different potential learning theories, multiple tools and approaches to digital learning. So far, in my opinion, the most intriguing and thought-provoking aspect of this course has been discovering which learning theory best fits my approach to learning in the digital age. The course has taught me about the various learning theories such as; cognitivism, constructivism, connectivism learning by doing and behaviourism. After researching these learning theories, I have decided that connectivism is the most suitable option to characterize my approach to learning. In this blog post, I will be discussing my explanation of what connectivism is and how it relates to my current learning situation in EM203 and my program. I hope you enjoy this post and learn something new!  

What is Connectivism? 

        Connectivism has materialized in recent years making it a newly discovered way to learn. The Connectivism learning theory can be defined as the “collective connections between all the ‘nodes’ in a network that result in new forms of knowledge” (Bates, 2015). Connectivism was introduced by two theorists, Stephen Downes and George Siemens. It is the learning process of ‘today’ that stems from the technology that we see and use every day. We are in a digital age and technology is continuously advancing and, given the current pandemic forcing our society to rely on technology, I think connectivism will be an essential learning process to adapt to. I believe the connectivism learning theory is very similar to technology itself, as technology is always developing and advancing, the old tech becomes less desirable. The same goes for connectivism, the learning theory has to constantly be “refined and developed” as knowledge is “constantly shifting and changing” (Bates, 2015). 

        I have learned that while reading his article, Dr. George Siemens has identified eight main principles of connectivism. He describes them as: 

1. Diverse points of view and opinions are essential to learning and the transfer of knowledge 

2. The Learning process is a connection between specialized nodes and information sources 

3. Learning can populate in non-human mediums (ex. technology) 

4. Capability and will to learn further is more important than what is already known 

5. Maintaining connections and exchanges is important for successful learning 

6. An ability to connect multiple ideas, concepts, and fields is a critical skill 

7. A connectivist learning activity aims to have accurate and up to date information 

8. Information is always changing because of shifting views and added information, that’s why Decision making is a learning process in its own 

 How Connectivism Relates to the Way I Learn in EM203: 

        Learn 280 Characters or less resembles a perfect class for people that have a connectivism approach to learning. The class is about learning in the digital world using different learning theories that use various tools and approaches to digital learning. This class follows the criteria to be a connectivist classroom as step one is “to introduce technology that complements and strengthens learning” the second is freedom by “giving students autonomy in their work, as discussed in our liberationism and constructivism blogs, can create a higher sense of ownership. It also encourages collaboration and better team working amongst the class” (Greenwood). EM203 utilizes a discussion board for students to collaborate and communicate their different ideas on various subjects. In these discussions, we meet our classmates with the opportunity to socially interact further, as well as express our opinions on subjects such as how people learn using different learning theories. The class also uses social media, Twitter, to introduce more technology that supplements our learning. This online course uses technology to its advantage allowing students to constantly interact with each other facilitating the creation of a big learning web and each student acts as a ‘node’. Connectivism “suggests students should combine thoughts, theories, and general information in a useful manner. It also promotes group collaboration and discussion, allowing for different viewpoints and perspectives when it comes to decision-making, problem-solving, and making sense of information” (Western Governors University, 2021). 

        One way I have learned through connectivism is through educational videos on YouTube. These teach me the best because I can make connections with what is being shown to me and my past experiences. This is evident in math-based courses where there is little room to communicate ideas between peers. I also use Reddit or Twitter to collaborate with students in the same program as me to discuss various ideas within our program. I have found since my start in university that I learn more when interacting with others where both sides can express their ideas and show their different point of view on a subject. My learning approach is most evident in connectivism and is apparent in EM203 where I can collaborate and network with my peers to better understand the learning topic from class.                        

How a Blog Applies to the Connectivism Learning Theory:  

        In my opinion, a blog is a perfect medium to promote learning as a connectivist based learner. A blog is similar to a discussion board where there is a flow of information from multiple different people constructed by various posts and comments. People are open to sharing their opinion on a topic and adding their different experiences allowing for multiple perspectives on a situation that essentially adds a connection between specialized nodes that created a web of information. “Connectivism promotes learning that happens outside of an individual, such as through social media, online networks, blogs, or information databases” (Western Governors University, 2021). I also choose this medium of communication because of my approach to learning. As “Connectivism relies heavily on technology; Online courses, webinars and dedicated forums are mainstays of this pedagogy” (Greenwood) which is where I learn the most from. I not only learn from communication and collaboration with my peers, but I also learn by writing. Before an exam it’s not uncommon for me to rewrite my notes because I know that’s a large part of the way I learn, to embed the information in my brain. With that said, I have chosen not to do this project with an audio/visual aspect such as a video or presentation. A blog not only matches the connectivism learning theory but also connects to my personal style of learning. For these reasons, I choose to post my “How Do You Learn” Response on a blog. 

Conclusion: 

        Connectivism drives my learning practices by exchanging information with my peers. It is a new learning theory that stems from exchanges of information primarily through technology. People are open to collaborating and expressing their ideas through mediums such as social media, blogs, discussion boards, and more. The use of discussion boards and Twitter has allowed me to see new perspectives and facilitate my learning of course content for EM203. Therefore, connectivism learning theory describes how I learn, and I feel that it gives me an advantage in the current pandemic and times of growing technology where everything we do uses some form of technology. 

         Thank you for reading my blog, I hoped you learned more about learning in today’s digital age as I shared how I learn through connectivism and how I relate it to my current classes and program. I hope you enjoyed it, feel free to share your comments or opinions on how connectivism or another learning theory relates to you!

References: 

Greenwood, B. (n.d.). Is connectivism the pedagogy of the future? The Satchel Blog - from the team behind Show My Homework. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://blog.teamsatchel.com/is-connectivism-the-pedagogy-of-the-future. 

Western Governors University. (2021, May 27). Connectivism learning theory. Western Governors University. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://www.wgu.edu/blog/connectivism-learning-theory2105.html#:~:text=Connectivism%20is%20a%20relatively%20new,make%20choices%20about%20our%20learning. 

Bates, A. W. (T. (2015, April 5). 2.6 connectivism. Teaching in a Digital Age. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/chapter/3-6-connectivism/. 

Stanley, J. (2020, March 13). A guide to ace-ing Social Media. The Drum. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://www.thedrum.com/opinion/2020/03/13/guide-ace-ing-social-media. 

Ufnar, F. C. (2016, November 10). Social media behaviors in health and Health Care: A literature review: Left nav. Left Nav | Internet Strategy for Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://leftnav.blogs.hopkinsmedicine.org/2016/11/07/social-media-behaviors-inhealth-and-health-care-a-literature-review/. 

Connectivism. FutureLearn. (n.d.). Retrieved October 26, 2021, from                     https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/learning-network-age/0/steps/24641. 

 kelise72, A. (2020, June 20). Connectivism: A learning theory for the Digital age (reflection). UAL. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://keliseual.wordpress.com/2020/03/10/connectivism-a-learning-theory-for-the-digital-age-reflection/.