As an adult I think it is important to continue
learning and seeking new information constantly, both professionally as well as
personally. My network has continued to evolve, and even this iteration as
represented in my mind map will not remain constant as it is required to
continue growing and evolving based on current needs and interests. My current
network relies heavily on both professional and educational resources due to
pursuing a graduate degree and being in my position for less than one year. Due
to those circumstances, I feel as though I am constantly seeking resources both
synchronous as well as asynchronous to continue my learning journey and to seek
the best resources to assist me in learning not just what I need to know, but
what I would like to know in terms of expanding my knowledge base.
I really like to take in a wide variety of information
in a wide variety of forms. One of my favorite modes of learning is through
interaction and discussion with others, or even hands on learning. I feel that
the discourse between a group-whether large or small-leads to new insights,
recommendations, and an expansion of ideas. In addition, I like to use social
media such as Facebook or even Instagram to source new ideas, resources, and
material. I follow a variety of professional organizations, professionals, and
more to ensure that I am exposed to a wide variety of information-even in
smaller micro learning chunks. Finally, YouTube videos that synthesize ideas in
clever ways constantly provide me with not only new ideas and resources, but
inspiration as to how I will seek to develop content and information in the
future.
There are times that I am seeking information and I
get stuck, or I cannot connect to the resources that have been presented to me
via a traditional source. This is when I know that I need to seek alternate
resources to provide me with a base knowledge before I can access the required
or traditional resources. Often these will take the direction of a multimedia
source-whether it be a video, a flash presentation, or other visual
representation. Once I’ve gained a base, I find it easier to seek the
traditional materials and understand them in a different manner. I also work
with an amazing team of professionals who have a wide variety of resources,
insight, advice, and recommendations. I am fortunate enough to work in an
environment that encourages asking questions and seeking answers together.
Though I am quite new, I have never been made to feel that my questions are not
valid, important, or worthy of being addressed.
This leads me to the basic tenets of connectivism in
relation to my own learning. My personal learning network supports these,
especially in the following areas as described by Davis, Edmunds, and
Kelly-Bateman which include:
§ “Learning and knowledge rest in diversity of
opinions.
§ Learning is a process of connecting specialized
nodes or information sources.
§ Learning may reside in non-human appliances”
(2008)
In regards to social
learning, I engage in seeking diversity of opinions and ideas to form my own
opinions and ideas. Additionally, seeking to make connections amongst materials
through comparing and contrasting, seeking additional resources, and evaluating
source material allows me to connect information sources in a variety of ways.
And finally, the bulk of my learning takes place not face to face, but through
computer or technological interaction.
I think seeking to
understand my own learning style, methods, and resources or avenues of
information can really provide a strong basis for then moving forward to create
learning opportunities for others. Throughout that process though, there is a
requirement to maintain an open mind and to seek to continue understanding that
what works best for me may not work best for someone else. But the base
knowledge of my own learning helps me to understand others on a greater level.
When we can see how learning is connected in a variety of ways, and the sources
of that information, it provides a framework for the creation of resources to
better facilitate learning for others.
RESOURCES:
Davis, C, Edmunds, E,
& Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging
perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved 7/21/16, fromhttp://epltt.coe.uga.edu/
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