Connectivism and Connectivism Reflection

Connectivism Reflection

This week we were instructed to create a Mind Map because the central tenets of connectivism is that people learn through the networks they construct knowledge. I constructed a Map Map that illustrates my network connections.

My network has changed the way that I learn in that the information is readily available from various sources. My mind map started with Subject Matter – Me – Sources of Information – Me disseminating the information to those who I come in contact with and the cycle continues over and over again. I can learn at a much faster rate, because I can receive information at a much faster rate.

One of the digital tools that best facilitate learning for me is the Internet, since its development, the Internet, has changed the way I live and learn. More than ever, it has become easier to educate myself because the Internet has no geographical limitation. There are many ways that the Internet has changed education for the good and the bad. As a teacher and student, I can obtain research material for papers, tests and projects. Also, it is means for me to continue my education online and receive a Master’s degree. Walden University is an example of a university that is offering online accredited course, which thousands of students are enrolled in without having to leave the comfort of their own homes. This allows me as a student to learn in a self-paced sort of way. It is also a considered as a connection that I have obtained. Another digital tool within the Internet are sites like Wikipedia or Google, where I can type in my search and a wealth of information is returned. I can surf through the information and find what is relevant to what I would like to learn about.

I gain knowledge when I have questions by researching the topics, consulting a professional, or reading magazine articles and books to find out the answers or more information. The network that I have created has chnaged the way that I learn in that there is a wide variety of information online, in textbooks, knowledge of other people.

The ways in which my personal learning supports the central tenets of connectivism is that I realize we must all connect in some way to bridge the knowledge gaps that we have. I do not believe that there is anything new under the sun and that there information is readily available if we seek it out through our connections.