As I have wrestled with the introduction of Connectivism as a theory of learning, I must admit that I struggled with it. While I agree that the process of learning and teaching is changing, due to the nature of current and emerging technology, I still hold that learning takes place within the individual and is best done when the method is adapted for the individual’s best learning style(s).
This wiki: http://bce-summer2009.wikispaces.com/Group+C+Against+-+Karisti%2C+Susan%2C+Julie, summed it up best for me when they explore, “Does Connectivism explain how humans learn?” They conclude that, “Connectivism does not address the question of: How do humans learn?”
I haven’t been satisfied that Connectivism recognizes a difference in knowledge and learning. Technology can store, manage, retrieve and present more knowledge than a human can. But the human still must process the knowledge, the information, in order to be able to learn something from it. But, boy, don’t we have a whole lot more to learn at our fingertips?!
What I found interesting as I read your blog post is that I agree with what you are saying, and yet I support connectivism as a learning theory! Your statement about adapting to students learning styles is definitely correct, though. Technology does not work for everyone. I had a student who refused to get his laptop everyday in my class. Unfortunately, it’s a graduation requirement and I could not make adaptions for this student. But when I taught English, I always gave opportunities to work and learn using connectivism, and some students just wanted to work using the old books in the library!
I agree with both of you! This is not an easy- to-understand topic (connectivism), nor is it one where I feel I can stand on only one side of the fence (regarding the arguments presented in both papers we were assigned to read). Our job as teachers has grown to make us technology proficent and folks who must adapt to an even greater range of diversity amongst our students than ever before. Their comfort with and willingess to learn technology is another variable we must factor into our planning and teaching. I am coming to see that the tools can make us more connect-able to folks that can help us address those differences more easily, but we must take the time to learn and practice them ourselves!