Learning Theory : Connectivism

Connectivism is a learning theory, in which knowledge exists outside of the learner, and the learner makes connections between information to build knowledge. The connections that learners make help them create their own learning network.

 

Through this connected web, learners will be able to stay up-to-date with content as it changes. It is important for the learner to be able to identify credible resources.

 

Siemens outlines the major ideas of connectivism as:

• "Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions"
• "Learning is the 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 learning"
• The ability to identify connections between concepts is important
• Maintaining current and accurate knowledge is the purpose in connectivist activities
• Decision-making is a learning process as information can change and what is viewed as correct one day may be incorrect the next (Siemens, 2004)

 

Use of this theory:

This theory can be used whenever research needs to be conducted. In this digital age, learners can set up RSS feeds, follow organizations on Twitter, link to certain sites, search videos, and much more. With all of these resources available, learners can build a learning network that is constantly growing and can receive the most up-to-date information on any topic.

 

Strengths:

Since learning is networked and connected to a variety of sources, information can be obtained easily and instantly. RSS Feeds and other Web 2.0 tools allow for the learner to retrieve the most recent updates to any topic.

Weaknesses:

Because so many sources exist, it can become difficult to determine if a source is legitimate or not.

Learning Theories

Learning Theory : Constructivism

Constructivism is the study of a learner's own construction of knowledge (Learning Theories, 2011c). This knowledge is constructed through one's own personal experiences and interactions with the outside world. The learner takes in new information and gives meaning to it using his or her own prior attitudes, beliefs, and experiences as references (Stavredes, 2011).

 

 

Learners are active participants in the construction of knowledge while the instructor serves as a facilitator. Two types of constructivism emerged beginning in the late 1970s. Lev Vygotsky introduced social constructivism, in which social interaction with others helps the learner put meaning to information. Vygotsky noted a Zone of Proximal Devleopment, in which learners can develop a certain level of meaning on their own but can grow even greater after interacting with classmates and instructors.

 

 

In 1985, Jean Piaget introduced cognitive constructivism, in which knowledge is constructed by either assimilation or accommodation. In assimilation, incoming information is associated with a schema, and in accommodation, incoming information does not match a schema. Thus, the schema must be changed to accommodate this conflict (Stavredes, 2011).

 

Learning Theory : Cognitivism

Cognitivism refers to the study of the mind and how it obtains, processes, and stores information (Stavredes, 2011). This theory was a response to behaviourism. It was argued that not all learning occurs through shaping and changing of behaviours.

In this theory, learners are active participants in their learning, and the mind functions like a computer processor. Information comes in as input, the mind processes the information for the time being, and the information is stored away to be retrieved later (Learning Theories, 2011b).

Learning is shaped by acquired learning strategies and prior knowledge and attitudes, called schemas. The cognitive view of learning is teacher-centered, and information must be presented in an organized manner in order to achieve the most efficient learning.

Learning Theories : Behaviorism

According to the learning theories propounded by the behaviorists learning is a mechanical process of associating the stimulus with response, which produces a new behavior. Such behavior is strengthened by the reinforcement.

 

Main proponents of this theory were J.B.Watson and I.Pavlov. Behaviorists view the learner as a passive person who responds to the stimuli. According to them the learner starts as tabula rasa ( which means clean slate) and the behavior is shaped by the reinforcement.

 

Positive as well as negative reinforcement increase the probability of the repetition of behavior. Whereas the punishment decreases the chances of repetition of the behavior. Learning is therefore defined as a change in the behavior of the learner.

 

Behaviorism as a "how" of education, not a "what"

 

Comparison of Learning Theories