Fig. 1: Joseph K, Vermeille’s Connectivist MindMap
Other students’ blogs I commnted on:
[1] – http://drmountnrat.wordpress.com
[2] – http://www.howardjbrent.com/1/post/2013/01/connectivism.html#comments
- How has my network changed the way I learn?
- My learning style started with memorization of content (behaviorism), continued with reading and understanding of academic materials (cognitivism), got enhanced with practical applications using the learning by doing constructivist methodologies via writing and debugging of computer programs,. Now I seem to have reached a level of maturity in learning via multiple resources accordingly to connnectivist principles which among other things posit that “Learn is a network formation process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources” (Siemens, 2006). As illustrated in my connectivist mind map (Fig. 1), I have developed the habit of referring to my network of digital and non-digital experts such as google.com, Wikipedia.com, colleagues, and others as part of my learning culture.
- Which digital tools best facilitate learning for me?
- Search tools, particularly google.com, remain the primary consultant in my quest for knowledge. Online encyclopedias such as Wikipedia.org, refdesk.com, social networking sites including but not limited to youtube.com, facebook.com and linked.com, teaching venues like Lynda.com, webinars, and application software, just to name a few, provide significant opportunities for learning in the digital age.
- How do I learn new knowledge when I have questions?
- The digital universe seems to be ready all the times to answer learner’s questions on any issue. Do we need to know how to cook lobsters? Are we travelling to unknown territories? Do we need to convert miles into kilometers? Are we curious about a given medical prescription? Just ask google.com, yahoo.com, ask.com, about.com. The Bible benevolently proclaims “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, retrieved from http://bible.cc/john/8-32.htm ). This biblical prophecy seems to have been accomplished with the overabundance of resources readily available to answer our questions.
References:
Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing knowledge. Retrieved from http://www.Lulu.com.
Other students’ blogs I commnted on: http://drmountnrat.wordpress.com