A learner today s like a Scrolling Social News [Media] Ticker

A learner today is like a... Scrolling Social News [Media] Ticker.

"George Siemens’ learning theory of Connectivism is often cited by educators who are using the Internet for purposes of teaching and learning. He and Stephen Downes share a new perspective on learning in today’s world" (Maryanne Burgos, Ph.D., 2011).

"Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age" by George Siemens

http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm

I recently read an interesting article by George Siemens regarding Connectivism and how it effects modern learners. Within his article George Siemens defines learning, the half-life of knowledge, behaviorism and cognitivism, among other things to express the effects of technology on theories of learning.


"The 'half-life of knowledge' is the time span from when knowledge is gained to when it becomes obsolete. Half of what is known today was not known 10 years ago. The amount of knowledge in the world has doubled in the past 10 years and is doubling every 18 months according to the American Society of Training and Documentation (ASTD). To combat the shrinking half-life of knowledge, organizations have been forced to develop new methods of deploying instruction."


As mentioned in previous posts, I believe educators need to implement technology into the curriculum and educate students on how it can be a valuable tool to gain and share knowledge and a rapid pace. I agree with Mr. Siemens, "formal education no longer comprises the majority of our learning. Learning now occurs in a varety of ways - through communies of practice, personal neworks, and through completion of work-related tasks."

Mr. Siemens includes various quotes throughout his article from Driscoll, including Driscoll's concise definition of learning: "a persisting change in human performance potential...[which] must come about as a result of the learner's experience and interaction with the world." I agree with Siemens that Driscoll's definition includes aspects of various theories on learning - behaviorism, cogitivism, and constructivism. Learning is a constantly changing state developed and impacted by the experiences and interactions that a learner is presented. Learners are more likely to retain knowledge if they are able to create a personal connection or if it is something that is meaningful to them. Technology presents educators with a valuable tool inwhich we are able to create more meaningful lessons and through which students are able to express their personal opinions and reflections on global affairs.

George Siemens Video "The Impact of Social Media on Learning" (3:18 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grI_h88vs3g&feature=PlayList&p=3E43054A8703F57A&index=3

I believe a learner today is like a Scrolling Social News [Media] Ticker because learning is and always should be a continual process, lasting for a lifetime. As seen on news channels around the world important updates are connstantly made to the news tickers on the bottom of the television screen. What was new news a few minutes, hours, days, ..etc. ago can be old news in a momment. Also as mentioned through George Siemens' video on "The Impact of Social Media on Learning" "Our learning today is one of forming networks with each other so our tools enable that effortlessly in a way thats is very human to us...most of us enjoy dialogue, conversations, we are social beings." Social media and modern technology gives us as well as our students a way in which we can develop our knowledge and thoughts regarding something we've never encountered with just a click of a mouse.

George Siemans also quoted Vygotski in his video: "Words really give life to our thoughts." Without language you can't have thought. Thoughts a internalzed conversations and you can't have conversations wthout words.

References

Driscoll, M. (2000). Psychology of Learning for Instruction. Needham Heights, MA, Allyn & Bacon.


Siemens, G. (2005, January). Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, Retrieved November 20, 2005



Siemens, G. The Impact of Social Media on Learning (3:18 minutes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grI_h88vs3g&feature=PlayList&p=3E43054A8703F57A&index=3
Retrieved January10, 2009. The Network is the Learning (3:14 minutes)