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**Background Understanding of Connectivism**
(Kelly)
 * ~ In order to argue against connectivism, we must first understand what Connectivism is.**

Connectivism blog by George Siemens
A blog created by George Siemens on Connectivism.

[|Connectivism Article by George Siemens]
An article written by George Siemens on Connectivism.

** Introduction to Connectivism Prezi **
media type="custom" key="12664380" An Introduction to Connectivism by Jason McKay on Prezi. Created October 12, 2011. Retrieved on February 24, 2012 from http://prezi.com/ktlodoexogxa/connectivism/

**Does Connectivism Support Your Students and Teaching?**
This section is discussing how Connectivism does **not** support students, students learning and teaching.

According to Thirteen Ed Online: Concept to Classroom workshop //Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning,// and critics are concerned with the following about Constructivism: (Denise and Lindsey) 1) Elitist- it seems to work best with students of privilege. Not all students have access to resources that connectivism requires. 2) Leads to "group think"- individual voices are not heard and that consensus is forced. This defeats the purpose of innovative thinking we want our students to have. According to von Glaserfeld "A constructivist can relax at a social function as they do not have to defend their answers, because they are //their// answers." However, in many careers and educational facilities it is important to be looking for quantifiable results. As a society we should be asking questions and they **do** care about specific "correct" answers that come from the students and teachers. This is how we learn and grow. Defending our thoughts and having a discussion with other views. Driscoll (2000) defines learning as “a persisting change in human performance or performance potential…[which] must come about as a result of the learner’s experience and interaction with the world”. 3) Little evidence that is works 4) Time Consuming 5) Expensive 6) Subjective 7) Learner must have a higher level of self-management and maturity to be successful. Many students require support scaffolded within their learning. Many students are not at a level where they are able to take control of their own knowledge or even how to find the knowledge they seek. Management of resources relies heavily on students. 8) Difficult to develop authentic tasks

(Denise) media type="youtube" key="GpWbUWroPuA" height="315" width="420" (Denise)

Argument Against Connectivism Using Research

 * Below is a link to an ERIC research article, in full text, that discusses how constructivist theory applies to the adult learner, i.e., the teacher student. This study implies that the teacher's effectiveness in teaching students science, for example, lies within the developmental level of the teacher. While the theory itself, stems from Piaget and Kolhberg's theories of development within stages, the study implies that teachers need to be able to be reflective on their practice and adapt to the needs of their students. Therefore, if constructivist theory is related to connectivist theory, and we are not supporting the theory, it is my understanding that this article displays what we are trying to argue. Learning and teaching are more complex and complicated than the theory allows. (Julie)

** An interview of Piaget **
media type="custom" key="12671858" (julie)

[|constructivist theory toward teachers]

 * Below is yet another link to an ERIC research based article that compares three generations of pedagogy, and sifts out the negative connotations of connectivism, therefore supporting our argument against connectivism. It discussed online education and because of the argument, pushes the importance of improving the integrity of distance or online education. (Julie)

**Connectivism Isn't a Real Theory**
(Kelly)

** __Connectivism: Learning Theory of the Future or Vestige of the Past?__ **
media type="file" key="523-4697-1-PB.mp3" width="240" height="20"
 * Criteria has not been met that would establish connectivism as a real learning theory
 * Connectivism is not a new idea, rather an adjustment to Vygotsky's theory of social constructivism, identifying the relationship between internal and external knowledge environments.
 * Connectivism is simply unsubstantiated philosophising.

__The Connective__
Connectivism as a Learning Theory posted by Eyal Sivan
 * In order to be a learning theory there needs to be clear parameters and definitions
 * Words like "learning" and "knowledge" are interchangeable, but definitiions are different, not circular
 * The role of the individual is not clearly defined. Are we an individual unit that become part of a network, or are we ourselves made up of smaller networks and thus truly not individual.

**Resources of resources :)**
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9014865592046332725 (link to the Piaget interview-Julie)

http://www.itdl.org/journal/jan_05/article01.htm (Lindsey)

http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm (Lindsey)

https://sites.google.com/site/constructivism512/Home/benefits-and-criticisms (Denise)

Anderson, T. and Dron, J. (2011). // Three Generations of Distance Education Pedagogy, // International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 12.3, Athabasca University, Canada. (julie)

* "Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning." //Concept to classrooom//. Educational Broadcasting Corporation, n.d. Web. 24 Feb 2012. . (Denise)

Olson, J.K., Finson, K.D. (2009). // Developmental Perspectives on Reflective Practices of Elementary Science Education Students, // Journal of Elementary Science Education, Vol. 21, No. 4 (Fall 2009), pp. 43-52. , Western Illinois University. (julie)

Kop, R. and Hill, A. (2008). //Connectivism: Learning theory of the future or vestige of the past?// The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, Vol 9, No 3. Retrieved on February 24, 2012 from @http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/523/1103.

Sivan, E. (2008). Connectivism as a Learning Theory. The Connective (blog). Retrieved on February 24, 2012 from @http://theconnective.org/2008/08/26/connectivism-as-learning-theory/

Group B is against On your group wiki, you will **collect resources** and **summarize arguments** either in support of connectivism or critiquing it.
 * 1) Read both Verhagen’s criticism of connectivism and Siemens’ response to Verhagen. (Links can be found in Key Information.)
 * 2) Research connectivism further, using online or offline resources available to you.
 * 3) Use your wiki to build a position page either for or against connectivism. You may consider any of the following questions to help focus your research:
 * Is connectivism a learning theory?
 * Is connectivism relevant to your teaching practice? If so, how?
 * Does connectivism support your students?
 * Are parts of the theory more compelling or relevant to you than others?
 * Are there parts of the theory which you find confusing?
 * 1) Cite all sources. Provide links on the wiki whenever possible. Your group's position page should include at least 6-8 additional sources (not counting the two articles from the Key Information for this topic).
 * 2) Use the discussion page within the wiki to collaborate with other members of your group.