250 million years ago the earth existed as a supercontinent which would fragment to become what we recognize as the present day continents of the world. Exploration then led to the discovery of the New World. No longer were misconceptions allowed to stand, we could discover new truths. We were once joined in a way that would have made communication facile if we had the technology to support it.
As the world expanded new opportunities arose for communication between worlds. Information was limitless yet difficult to harness. There was a need to connect the dots between the bits of information. George Siemens proposed that a theory called Connectivism could result in greater knowledge building, especially in this new era of technology. Tools such as those used in distance education had latent strengths to facilitate these connections.
Siemens’ ideas on distance education placed an importance on elements that distinguish distance learning and give it the potential to make learning increasingly valuable. Siemens (2006) discusses the idea of global collaboration in his e-book, Knowing Knowledge. He states “as everything becomes connected, everything becomes transparent” (p. 73). The lack of geographic limitations means that global conversations are no longer restricted by physical space. We can connect with tools like Skype, instant messaging, wikis, blogs, and online publishing. As soon as new information becomes available it can be communicated. “Knowledge flows in real time” (Siemens, 2006, p. 74).
We now have the technology to support communication between vast places. The former pangaea of joined bodies of information has separated to become individual entities building personalized specialties nodes. Knowledge rests on these forces coming together in collaboration and distance learning may become the bridge that supports building those connections.
References:
Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing knowledge website. Knowing knowledge book. Retrieved September 6, 2008 from, http://www.knowingknowledge.com/book.php
Siemens, G. (Speaker). (2008). The future of distance education. Video. December 19, 2008, posted to Walden University Web site: http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=3206859&Survey=1&47=4198219&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
1 comment:
Siemens' work with Connectivism may very well be the foundational work needed to support change. It can pull down the restrictions and create transparency for those who are connected. However, leaders within and outside of not only the educational movement, but society as a whole will need to guard against the creation of new socioeconomic classes based on the ability to connect to that information/knowledge. I think projects like OLPC (http://laptop.org/) and the NMLLI (New Mexico Laptop Learning Initiative) will become increasingly important to counteract the potentially isolating effects of a society increasingly reliant on its connection.
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