Mind Map

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How Your Connections Facilitate Learning

Professional Learning Networks

Utilizing personal networks allows you to tailor your education and avenue for enhancement by reaching out to others that work directly in your industry or field and to those that work in related or fringe industries of your particular discipline. Adult learners bring past experience and expertise to the classroom these results in a natural transference of knowledge amongst the students and the educator. In the text Learning Theories and Instructions (Ormrod, et. al, 2008, p.123) describes “transfer” as “…refers to knowledge being applied in new ways, in new situations, or in familiar situations with different content… it explains how prior learning affects subsequent learning.” This is a distinct advantage for adult learners using networks of various industries provides ample means of additional education. Professional networks allow adult learners to constantly learn in new and if sought innovative ways. They can form professional clicks and clubs that can be tailored to solve specific problems and/or address new technology. Transference can develop within any of the areas presented in the Mind Map shown.

Digital Tools

The digital tools I use to facilitate learning are professional websites that offer tutorials, expertise articles addressing specific functions and new developments, and/or showcasing new software and technological advances. I have recently been introduced to blogs and using social networks sites to receive professional information and remain updated. Also, I have access to several campuses and numerous classrooms which have software and other computer equipment that I am allowed to use at my discretion. I have also recently started researching podcast that are related to my specific discipline.

Gaining New Knowledge

When I have questions I speak with colleagues and other co-workers in order to access any information or assistance they may offer. I also have access to many professions in different industries and disciplines which allows me to brainstorm and debate various issues and situations in order to create new processes and/or find solutions. And of course, I use the various libraries, databases, and other printed or electronic resources that are available. Whenever I have the opportunity, I utilize local business organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce that offer classes and other business seminars and forums that are most often free and open to the public.

Connectivism and Personal Learning Network

In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism? Your personal learning network can be literally and figuratively a personification of connectivism it is a means of assembling knowledge retained and pursued into a cohesive and collective learning strategy and model to review and analysis current and future knowledge in order to enhance and/or gain ones education.

Siemens' describes connectivism as follows:

Connectivism is the integration of principles explored by chaos, network, and complexity and self-organization theories. Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core elements – not entirely under the control of the individual. Learning (defined as actionable knowledge) can reside outside of ourselves (within an organization or a database), is focused on connecting specialized information sets, and the connections that enable us to learn more are more important than our current state of knowing. Connectivism is driven by the understanding that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations. New information is continually being acquired. The ability to draw distinctions between important and unimportant information is vital. The ability to recognize when new information alters the landscape based on decisions made yesterday is also critical. (Wikipedia, Connectivism, 2010)

Once someone has reached adulthood they cannot truly be uneducated because they have gained and retained knowledge through professional and personal experiences. One could argue that an informal education cannot be compared to a formal education but in some instances and industries (especially in our current technological overloaded state) - adult learners have ample opportunities to supplement their education within an environment that is personally advantageous to optimal academic growth.

References

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York: Pearson

Wikipedia - Connectivism. (2010). Connectivism (learning theory). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectivism_(learning_theory)