“Knowledge has many authors, knowledge has many facets, it looks different to each person, and it changes moment to moment. A piece of knowledge isn’t a description of something, it is a way of relating to something.” – Stephen Downes

Overview

Connectivism is a modern educational theory that proposes the integration of thoughts, theories, and general knowledge in a practical way. It recognizes the significant role of technology in the learning process and acknowledges that our constant connectivity offers us opportunities to take charge of our learning. It also emphasizes collaborative learning and discussion, encouraging diverse perspectives and viewpoints for decision-making, problem-solving, and comprehension of information. Connectivism advocates for learning that extends beyond the individual, such as through social media, online networks, blogs, and information databases.

History

Connectivism was developed in 2005 by George Siemens and Stephen Downes. Siemens published his article “Connectivism: Learning as a Network Creation” online in 2004, and Downes published “An Introduction to Connective Knowledge” the following year. Both publications emphasize the significant role of technology in the learning process and how the digital age has accelerated students’ access to information. Since then, Siemens and Downes have continued to contribute to this subject, each with slightly different emphases. Siemens focuses more on the social aspects of connectivism, whereas Downes emphasizes non-human appliances and machine-based learning.

Basic Concept

Connectivism suggests that learning goes beyond our individual acquisition of knowledge. It also encompasses the information we access through our external networks. Two key terms in this theory are “nodes” and “links,” which are used to illustrate how we acquire and connect information within a network.

In connectivism, students are viewed as “nodes” within a network, where a node can represent any object that can be linked to another object, such as a book, webpage, or person. This theory is based on the idea that learning occurs when we establish connections, or “links,” between different “nodes” of information, and then continue to create and maintain connections to build knowledge.