Constructing Connectivism

I am thoroughly enjoying each study of learning theory. I feel like having reviewed many of the theories has been crucial in creating a holistic and balanced pedegogy of my own, as well as improving my teaching overall. Adding connectivism to the repertoire has been particularly interesting and satisfying as it has validated much of the teaching and digital skills I am implementing now.

At first, I was very concerned about the amount of time the teaching of technology and the time used by creating accounts and troubleshooting the technology was not a justifiable use of time when my primary job is to teach ELA Common Core Standards. For example, we spent an entire class period trying to get 8th graders logged into a free GoAnimate account, which set the final project back at least one day, along with all the restrictions of free trials, class space and the student's inefficiently utilizing the software until they build automaticity, the entire project is probably going to take a week longer than I had planned. Initially, this could look like a huge waste of classroom time-or is it? Like when the authors of Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age, cite Vaill as saying, "learning must be a way of being-an ongoing set of attitudes and actions by individuals and groups that they employ to try to keep abreast of the surprising, novel, messy, obtrusive, recurring events. . ." The authors continue to explain that learning and work activities are no longer separate and that learning is a continual, life-long process. Thus, by me creating the activity, for students to create an animation, the set-backs and trouble shooting of technology are a skill set they will use again and again.

I now realize and believe in the concept that kids using technology to make connections and create their learning through the meaning of the world they are interacting with, merged with their background knowledge and with some guidance and instruction from a teacher will foster next generation, proficiency-based learning, that is not only sought after by the school system, but could be in the best interest of the children. Allowing them to get to the standard through their own connections has to be most effective. It may take more time and be "less" efficient, but learning could be more life-long and internalized. What are we striving for quality or quantity? A final quote to end this post best conceptualizes the age of digital learning theory in that

"Connectivism is the integration of principles explored by chaos, network and complexity and self-organization learning theories. Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core elements-not entirely under the control of the individual. Learning (defined as actionable knowledge) can reside outside of ourselves (within an organization or a data base), is focused on connecting specialized information sets, and the connections that enable us to learn more are more important than our current state of knowing."