Connectivism, Fear, Control, Leading to Improvisation, Knowledge and Framework

After re-watching both of those short videos, I have revisited my ideas surrounding connectivism. I have learned to pay more attention to what I am watching, and to think about all that I interact with, with more depth. Now watching the videos I am able to appreciate what is being said about connectivism, and also feel as well as though the human mind is separate from our social networks and as though both entities intertwine which in turn develops ourselves, and society mutually. I would like to talk about our fears, and fears of connectivism, the one in control and their role in connectivism and society, the four attributes of connectivism mentioned in the first video, knowledge and learning from the second video, and about framework and improvisation as mentioned by Adesola on her blog.

Fear, I have been taught my whole life to never talk to strangers. I believe many other individuals have been taught the same, therefore social media and web 2.0 may be an example of a couple of the wariest inventions of mankind. I find it interesting that throughout the MAPP the idea of there being fear is repeating itself over and over again as if there is a theme being developed. This idea of fear also resonates with me in my own school along with my own teaching practices.

I found it interesting that today while speaking with one of my senior students I was informed that one of the teachers hasn’t made her classes more difficult in the 4 years that she has been here, and the student that has spoken to about this phenomena has also been in that class for the same duration of the 4 years. Upon hearing this I also interviewed some of the other students who are also in the class and have been in the class for more than 2 years, and they also stated that the class hasn’t increased in difficulty. Could this be an example of fear in the workplace? Fear of negative feedback from the students for having expectations placed upon them? Or is it a fear of being the teacher that is ‘mean’? I don’t know.  

Another interesting phenomenon that occurred last week is that one of the music teachers for the school saw that the school had added ‘Music Theory” classes to the schedule with the goal subsidizing the practical piano lessons the students take as a part of the program, and by the teachers reaction it was clear to me that she didn’t feel as though the students were capable of doing music theory, even if it was at the most novice level. For this incident, I am not sure if the fear is coming from an insecurity in that instructor thinking that perhaps I don’t think that they are competent in their job because I have added the music theory alongside the practical music classes, or that she is fearful of the students own failure taking the newly added music theory classes. Whichever the reason may be, I did notice that the students seemed to be much happier, and confident now that I have added the music theory classes.

Connectivism, next to fear, another point I noticed from the 1st video that I didn’t notice before (because I have become aware of more happenings) is the reference to the flock of birds, and the school of fish. I was thinking about our tasks in Module 1 involving learning how to reflect upon our experiences (Jennifer Moon, 2009) And seeing patterns generated from the Areas of Learning essays by the participants of the MAPP which must have been observed by Adesola, and Helen while sorting through and marking our RPL assignments. I can only imagine the similarities between our individual experiences they must see in all of the participants of the MAPP through the vessel of the RPL  about what we as professionals have learned about communication, or our abilities to run a school, or conduct a dance class. (I have observed that many participants submit essays on very similar topics through discussions with other peers of the MAPP, as well as examining past blogs, and Skype discussions). Is this an example of connectivism in society resulting from similarities in human development leading to sub-conscience methods of completing the same tasks without speaking to one and another about those tasks beforehand?

Control, The next point that the speaker gives about connectivism is the idea of there is an authority in control of the situations, of whose role is to guide the individuals towards the tasks required in order to succeed as a group, either to greatness, or to ‘walking off a cliff’ as the speaker states. I understand that these authorities in the MAPP are represented by Adesola or Helen, and therefore could it be that in each of our own professional activities that the authority is whoever is in charge in any given situation, whether it be ourselves, or an authority to whom we must answer?

Autonomy, Diversity, interactivity, and openness, These next 4 points he makes are also from what I can understand through my experience with the MAPP are also core values of the MAPP program within itself. And upon reflection into my professional practice, and life experience I can identify situations that only ended up being positive because all of these four attributes were present in those instances. After thinking more about these key points where he speaks about the future of connectivism and speaking of it as a theory that may or may not be true or false I think about all of the different systems of government, business, and society that operate in the various spaces within our planet. For example, many governments have removed one or more of the 4 attributes from the societies contained within their boundaries. I don’t have any conclusions, but I do feel as though there is some value in thinking more about the idea of these four attributes of connectivsm in our own social and economic environments that we create or are a part of ourselves, and how we have the ability to create conducive or destructive environments when it comes to connectivism within our own social and economic spaces.  

Knowledge, and Learning,  In the second video the speaker talks about connectivism as a form of knowledge generation through the interaction with individuals, there is a much more in-depth discussion of this in the book Researching Dance evolving modes of inquiry (Sandra Horton, and Penelope Hanstein, 1999) when talking about dance, communication, and embodiment. I now find it interesting how that, on one hand, I feel as though I wish that I understood connectivism as I do now, at the beginning of the MAPP, and on the other hand I feel as though then there wouldn’t be much point to the MAPP because through its interactive using of connectivism using social media, and Web 2.0. I find that I am now understanding concepts that I would normally use in everyday life, but with a much more in-depth understanding of what I am actually doing while interacting through connectivism using modern social technologies. When Adesola first posted on her blog about these ideas, I didn’t really understand then what she was really writing about. I have enjoyed the experience of reflecting upon these ideas now (many months later) and to understand and gain a sort of insight into how far we have come throughout the MAPP.   

Framework and improvisation, Is improvisation a lack of framework, or a demonstration of previously embodied understandings of what you have experienced prior to demonstration subconsciously? I like what Adesola says about the framework being the in moment. For me (in my continuing development of understanding) it is similar to knowledge, it is constantly growing and developing and therefore impossible (within my current understanding) to adhere to during improvisation unless the improvisation must be performed within specific parameters equating to a framework, and codification.   

Conclusion, When Adesola writes about witnessing the framework, could it also translate into learning through connectivism? I feel as though the framework is as fluid and individual as each of our varying perspectives on everything. I feel as though it is through connectivism that we generate knowledge as a direct result of varying perspectives working together to find themes and ideas that logically, and/or scientifically become accepted as truth. I have come to the belief that we must overcome our fears of communication and being potentially offended by offering our own perspectives unto others in order to successfully engage in the process of learning with the outcome of gaining knowledge.

References

Horton, S., & Hanstein, P. (1999). Researching dance evolving modes of inquiry. University of Pittsburgh.

Moon, J. A. (2009). A handbook of reflective and experiential learning: Theory and practice. RoutledgeFalmer.