I'm not going to argue one way or the other on whether it is a new theory or not. I really have no idea or true position on the point. When I read some of the criticisms against it being a theory I can understand why they are said. But, I have been more drawn to believe that this is a new theory or at least the development of a new theory. Perhaps the facilitators would agree as well on the development portion. The first two weeks of this course were the most informative of any course I have ever taken.
During the first week I was really intrigued that this online course would not be presented on any particular teaching platform. My colleague at work, bounded and overwhelmed by countless icons in Blackboard course was extremely jealous. Readings are giving to the participants (some of whom are doing the course for credit, but approximately 80% are just participating to learn) and we're given the option to reflect on the work, re-purpose it, share it, tag it, or do nothing with it. This seemed similar to the work I had done in online courses on discussion boards except this time I'm writing my perceptions into my blog, tweeting them or bookmarking items of interest and then commenting back on others' writings. Again minus the platform.
By week two I suddenly understood. I was not participating in a course without a platform, I was creating the very connections and nodes that the course was meant to explain to me. I was seeking out the learnings, reflections and perceptions of others based on a weekly topic. With approximately 200-300 participants is this year's session of the course it is impossible to maintain a home life and a work life and still read all of the participants' items. However, as the course or theory proposes, I have begun to form connections with other participants in the class with which I relate. Whether it is because of background or more often it seems that the language, imagery, and other artifacts (videos, images, etc.) they use to explain their perceptions are familiar to me and I understand the points they are making.
By participating in this course trying to understand and learning about connectivism, participating has been the most mind opening experience. Not only have I created many new connections I can see the variety or patterns in these connections as well as the fact that I have realized how many other connections or networks of which I am a member. I recently posted on my blog "Proud Connections to the Blue Cloud People" and won't repeat it here, but in this posting I was happy to discover and point out some of the connections I have formed with other elearning professionals.
These people are where I find the most value and meaning in Connectivism. This is where I gain my knowledge from and share it back. Daily and sometimes hourly I am learning new information from this brilliant set of minds and I hope that I too and allowing them to learn from me. Many of the items I learn from them I don't pick up instantly and this is where I think the idea of being able to know how to navigate your connections and recognize patterns comes into play. Many if the items that I find of interest I capture and save in a tool called Evernote. The tool doesn't matter, but what does matter is that for the brief instant of copying and pasting something as simple as this image below allows me to "tag" it in my mind. It's like bookmarking the idea and when the time comes for me to need this piece of information. I don't KNOW it, but I do know how to access how I have stored it away, then how to navigate to learn and apply the information.
Often in this particular network I see (and I have myself) people that are part of the network using patterns or analyzing the network to find a piece of information. They too have "bookmarked" a piece of information and then will put a message out to only 2-3 people of a thousand person network to find that information. I/we have created patterns, without realizing it, and know that some people within the network will know how to access some information and others in the network will more quickly help us to access other information. (Example: if I think I know someone...a woman....created a video about making an iphone app for a course. I would look to my "bookmarks" to see if I saved it, and if not I would contact Jeanette, Jenise and Stephanie, because I would be almost convinced one of the three of them created it or could point me to it.)
I almost wrote early "how many networks that I created", but to me that seems almost impossible. It appears and I think this is also what Connectivism speaks to, is that the knowledge already exists out in the minds of many. It is about creating and developing connections to those many people that allows you to learn and formulate your own understanding of the material re-purpose it for your needs and share it to others that are also seeking to understand. The more perspectives that are created the more the knowledge base and understanding grows amongst all.
As mentioned initially I have no position on whether this is truly a theory or not, but the methods and ideas within it fit for me and my learning. It certainly fits for the learning mind frame I am currently in and the way in which I am gaining more knowledge and understanding of this course material. I only can hope to understand it more fully by the end of the program, but suspect that it will continue well into the future.
It seems to me that "You don't know, what you don't know, but if you can learn to navigate your way to it, you just might learn some a bit more."
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