Connectivism is a Learning Theory in the Digital Era Free Essay Example

According to George Siemens, Connectivism is consider as a learning theory that describes how people use the opportunities that Internet technologies have created and give in order to acquire and share information across the World Wide Web and among themselves. These technologies consist of diverse tools such as the Web browsers, email, wikis, online discussion forums, social networks, YouTube, and any other tools. Peer networks learning can also be considered as a key factor of connectivism.

In connectivist learning, the Educators have an important role to play in online network learning.

The role of the educator is to smooth the learning process and to “create learning ecologies, shape communities, and release learners into the environment” (Siemens, 2003). Teachers direct learners to info and answer key questions, in order to frame and support their learning and develop their digital skills. Teacher also need to encourage learners to look for online information and to express what they found. Siemens believes “we need to rely on a network of people (and, increasingly technology) to store, access, and retrieve knowledge and motivate its use” (Siemens, 2006)

ROLE OF EDUCATOR TO FACILITATE LEARNERS’ SKILLS IN THE DIGITAL ERA

The role of the teacher in the 21st century has altered, in the same way that our technology and the way that we relate to each other have changed.

Teachers are encouraged to use different developmentally appropriate computer experiences to promote the children’s understanding of the world and at the same time, assisting and building their self-confident and autonomous in the digital world.

However, teachers need to take into consideration that each learner is unique and they need to use and design a variety of different type of digital experiences for different learning styles in learners. Such as the Linguistic learners, Logical learners, Spatial, Kinesthetic learners and the Auditory learners.

Teachers need to update their teaching strategies. In consequence, learners need to be motivated to embrace more technology based tasks, include visual content, and should be provided the different occasion to be physically active in the classroom.

As teachers pursue the understanding of the nature of digital learners, they also need think carefully about their student’s exact skills and how to develop new knowledge combined with 21st century skills. In particular, the digital experiences should aim to develop different skills in them.

These skills combine content knowledge with personal and learning skills such as creativity and innovation everywhere and any time, critical thinking and problem-solving, communications and collaboration and information, media, and technology skills. learners should aim at developing their cognitive and social. Educator also need to ensure that learners use the most appropriate tools, while giving constructive feedback, so they feel accompanied at all times and learn skills quickly and effectively when feedback are given on a regular basis.

Nevertheless, to bring learning into the digital age, teachers must be given the skills they need to adapt their classrooms. And teachers cannot do it on their own as they need education leaders to support them and invest in meaningful professional development opportunities that let them explore and implement new digital teaching practices in the classroom.

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