Connectivism: the network metaphor of learning

Connectivism is a new learning theory introduced by George Siemens in 2004 in order to cope with the increasing complexity and fast-paced change of the new knowledge era. This paper addresses the network metaphor of learning, which explains learning in terms of networks. We begin by introducing the connectivism approach to learning based on Siemens’ work, and then provide an account of our view of connectivism by discussing the learning as a network (LaaN) perspective. We then present knowledge ecology as a social landscape that mirrors the complex nature and wide scope of knowledge, and continue by contrasting knowledge ecology to popular social forms that have been introduced in the CSCL and CSCW literature. These include communities of practice, knots, coalitions, intensional networks, and ad hoc transient communities. We end by comparing the connectivism/LaaN perspective with dominant learning and social theories. These theories are behaviourism, cognitivism, (social) constructivism, situated learning, activity theory, and actor-network theory.