Network Connections



Reflection of Network Connections

The changes in my learning network have advanced and strengthen the ways in which I learn. Through various outlets I am able to expand my knowledge and assist others in constructing meaning. It is important to create networks that include people, technology, social structures, and systems so that people can share ideas (Conlan, Grabowski & Smith, 2003). My network has changed in the event that it has become stronger with time, effective resources and professionals have contributed to learning. The social and resources component of my mind map have been the most worthy when addressing the way I have learned. Before entering Walden University, I did not spend much of my time reading electronic books or journals. Pursuing a self- directed approach to learning at Walden has opened my mind to valuable opportunities in researching journal articles and electronic books. These digital tools best facilitate learning because they provide a large genre of research based studies that support theories, ideas, and case studies relevant to the my interest. Creating a blog has also been an important component in my network because I have been able to communicate with other professionals around the world to gather new information. This process has been produced by gaining knowledge through the diversity of others’ opinions and being able to make connections with individuals that share the same interest in field of education and learning concepts (Davis, Edmunds & Kelley, 2008). I am able to gain new knowledge by seeking answers with the variety of connections I have made through networks. I attempt to search more information through search engines such as google, journals, or text books. Then I take that information collected and seek real life examples by discussing the knowledge I have gain with individuals in my network system. These include individuals such as my school peers, coworkers, facebook social groups, or family members. Once I am able to learn from peoples’ experience, I then am able to reflect and construct meaning in conjunction to my experience and knowledge. My personal learning network has supported the central idea of connectivism in a two ways. For example, by using the variety of outlets available in the network system, the learning process occurs due to paths between knowledge, experience, perception, reality, and comprehension (Davis, Edmunds & Kelley, 2008). Gathering knowledge with the assistance of the learning networks has provided an environment that is structured and stable to facilitate continual learning and expand the outlets in my network (Davis, Edmunds & Kelley, 2008)

References

Davis, C, Edmunds, E, & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved 11/28/2011, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/

Conlan, J., Grabowski, S., & Smith, K.. (2003). Adult Learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved <insert date>, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/