Module 4

Connectivism
The networks we have access to are very diverse.  Our networks change based on where our attentions lie at any given time.

My networks change as I change depending on my perceived needs.  My needs right now include school, work, home upgrades, and gardening.  My education needs outweigh my other needs so they are sited first.  My networks expand but the education network exhibits the most change as well as growth.  This is class dependant.  As my classes change my network changes due to the needs of the class and the technologies available.  My ability to learn is only limited by my perceived need at any given time.  Knowledge I no longer use is strored for later access either digitally or in my brain.  According to Seimens this is due to the half-life of knowledge. As knowledge is no longer necessary or becomes obsolete it is replaced or stored.

While this map mostly contains technologies I access, I want to say people are very important to the information process.  People I meet, clients, students, classmates, and daily interactions with new people all effect my learning and my network.  I/we all learn from people since we are social beings by nature.  But, at this juncture in my life if I want a question answered I turn to technology for the answer.  Everything I need to know is located online.  The tools I use most are blogs, and VOD.  This is how most of the information I seek is available.  This week I undertook several projects at home.  I turned to a portal, typed in what I wanted and filtered through sites in search of accurate information.  Several years ago I would have just asked for help from someone, but now I just turn to technology.

Reference:

Seimens, G. (2006). Knowing Knowledge. Copyright 2006 by George Siemens. Used by permission.