Is connectivism a theory of learning?
I was reading George Siemens’ blog post Externalising Knowledge which led me to read this article by Bijdrage van Pløn Verhagen which seems to argue that connectivism is not a theory but a pedagogy. Seimens has written an extensive article where he defends the ideas of connectivism bringing forward a number of arguments based on developments which have taken place since his 2004 article.
This is just my first impression as the arguments are long and involved and I will need time to read them properly before I feel confident to make further comment. I also need to re-read Stephen Downes’ article on connective knowledge.
So far I am struggling with the essential differences between social constructivism and connectivism but as Siemens remarks this may be because I have a fluid idea of the meaning of social constructivism. However I do think that whatever the theory we use learning is about constructing a meaning for ourselves and others through interaction and the ability to interact is an essential skill. In the twenty first century interacting through technology will become an essential life skill, if it is not already so.
As to whether the meaning we construct resides solely in ourselves or whether there can be a greater meaning that we have as a consequence of our interactions is something about which I am not sure.
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