#CCK08: Is Connectivism a Learning Theory?

A learning theory relates to the way individuals acquire and process information. The prevalent learning theories are: (a) Behaviorist, (b) Cognitive, and (c) Constructivist.

I expect individual processing of information to be stable across populations. However, I expect acquisition to vary according to individual learning styles, multiple intelligences and the following approaches to learning (Dunn, 2002):

# Sensory stimulation theory
# Reinforcement theory
# Cognitive-Gestalt approaches
# Holistic learning theory
# Facilitation theory
# Experiential learning
# Action learning
# Adult learning (Andragogy)(pp.1-3)

I would add Connectivism and Humanism to the list under acquisition of learning (Siemens, 2004). Connectivism seems to complement a constructivist approach to learning where learning takes place in a social environment. The social environment may change, but the learning approach does not. Social networks and web 2.0 tools (facebook, myspace, ning, wikis, twitter, delicious, learnhub, wiziq, wikieducator etc) are framing the current learning environments that foster connectivism.

Dunn, L. (2002, June 27). Theories of learning. Retrieved September 9, 2008, from http://www.brookes.ac.uk/services/ocsd/2_learntch/briefing_papers/learning_theories.pdf

Siemens, G. (2004, December 12). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. Retrieved September 9, 2008, from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm