Article review

During Our course in ILTEP, we went through many articles about technologies in education, learning theories in the digital era, and online learning with a variety of LMSs that help to learn to be effective in an online mode. The article that I want to reflect on is about general learning theories and connectivism theory which is recognized as a learning theory for the digital era.

It is undeniable that the need for online learning is increased rapidly during quarantine time last two years in my country. In western countries this mode of teaching is not new but, here in Uzbekistan, the need for qualitative online teaching methods is indisputable. During my lessons in ILTEP, we learned about the theory of connectivism which is known as a theory that defines online learning.

There were three main theories behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism in the field of education. They were developed in the beginning of 20^th century far before the technological age. Those times teachers where the only source of information. If we compare those years with nowadays there is a notable change in terms of information and knowledge life span. Gonzalez (2004) claims that knowledge we knew 10 years ago is already shrunk now and it does not really match with knowledge we know today. The amount of knowledge in the world has doubled in the past 10 years and is doubling every 18 months according to the American Society of Training and Documentation (ASTD). To combat the shrinking half-life of knowledge, organizations have been forced to develop new methods of deploying instruction.

In every field, the content of knowledge is changed even less than 10 years. If we look at closer ESL teaching, it changes constantly both in content and ways of teaching. For instance, 5 years ago we did not know about Steam methods of teaching. Even some people knew, that this method was not so popular and practiced in Uzbekistan. However, as knowledge is developing with technology, many educators and students look for effective and new ways of teaching and learning. Driscoll (2000) defines learning as “a persisting change in human performance or performance potential must come about as a result of the learner’s experience and interaction with the world”

Now let’s look at behaviorism theory. Gredler (2001) expresses behaviorism as being comprised of several theories that make three assumptions about learning:

1. Students understand better by observing the behavior

2. Behaviors should be focused on simple elements: specific stimuli and responses

3. Learning is about change in behavior

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V09FuazW8bc

Cognitivism is a theory of learning that focuses on how the knowledge is received, stored organized, and retrieved by the mind. The mind is an information processor like a computer, it views learning as an internal mental process. Piget (1960) believes that cognitivism takes place when a learner's schemata are changed, and learning takes place. He introduced some of the principles of cognitivism learning theory which are:

1. Learning is a process of organizing information into conceptualized models.

2. Instructions should be presented in a manner that is understandable and meaningful to the learner.

3. Retention and recall are important to build schemas in a brain

Constructivism is an approach to teaching and learning based on the premise that learning is the result of “mental construction.” In other words, students learn by fitting new information together  with what they alrteady know. Constructivists believe that learning is affected by the context in which an idea is taught as well as by students’ beliefs and attitudes. Driscoll (2000) explains that constructivist theory asserts that knowledge can only exist within the human mind, and that it does not have to match any real-world reality. Learners will be constantly trying to derive their own personal mental model of the real world from their own perception of that world. Constructivism assumes that learners are not empty vessels to be filled with knowledge. Instead, learners actively attempt to create meaning. Learners often select and pursue their own learning. Constructivist principles acknowledge that real-life learning is messy and complex. Classrooms which emulate the fuzziness of this learning will be more effective in preparing learners for lifelong learning.

                          

Connectivism is a theory that is relatively new and suggests learners should combine thoughts, theories, and general information in a useful manner (Western Governors University, 2021). It claims that technology is a major part of the learning process. Connectivism is the integration of principles explored by chaos, network, complexity, and self-organization theories. Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core elements – not entirely under the control of the individual (Siemens 2004).

Moving further, let me give brief information about the history of connectivism theory. Connectivism was first introduced in 2005 by two theorists, George Siemens and Stephen Downes. Siemens’ article Connectivism: Learning as a Network Creation was published online in 2004 and Downes’ article An Introduction to Connective Knowledge was published the following year.

The publications address the important role technology plays in the learning process and how the digital age has increased the speed at which students have access to information. Since then, both Siemens and Downes have continued to write and speak on the subject. However, each has slightly different viewpoints. While Siemens tends to focus on the social aspects of connectivism, Downes focuses on non-human appliances and machine-based learning.

As connectivism is defined as a theory of the digital age it is the most appropriate theory for our course. Like in our course, this theory suggests self-learning and self-studying more by utilizing digital technologies rather than the traditional way of learning. It denies that teachers are the only source of teaching, learners may learn and share their knowledge by means of many technological tools.

A very basic personal example of connectivism theory that happens maybe kids learning English songs by listening to music, watching cartoon videos, rhymes. A nephew of mine who is 2, 5 years old sings a song of baby shark and acts out movements can be a good example of this theory.  Some people say that children learn mostly by imitating others (behaviorism theory). However, children’s brains analyze and think about what is being learned. Their brain is capable of critically thinking and as questions about a subject. It means that children don’t use just behaviorism or cognitivism theory. But other theories like connectivism also take place in kids’ learning.

Referances: 

1. Anderson, T. (2008). The theory and practice of online learning. Edmonton: Au Press.

2. Spence, K.W. (1978). Behavior theory and conditioning. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press.

3. Steffe, L.P. and Jerry Edward Gale (1995). Constructivism in education. Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum.

4. Schunk, D.H. (2012). Learning theories : An educational perspective. 6th ed. Pearson.

5. Michigan State Library (1966). Learning theories. Lansing, Mich.: The Library.

6. Thomas Jerome Baker (2012). Connectivism & connected knowledge : a theory of learning for a digital age. Lexington, Ky.

7. Western Governors University. (2021). Connectivism Learning Theory. [online] Available at: https://www.wgu.edu/blog/connectivism-learning-theory2105.html#close.

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