Connectivity and the Internet

Introduction

The theory of chaos has transformed the world. It is a good model for understanding the post modern world. Siemens' theory of connectivism is also a good model for finding the nodes of information and networking them The Internet provides a useful medium for connectivism to occur.

Discussion

People often see the Internet as external to ourselves, vast and unfathomable, as wide as it is deep. If the thought is reversed, the Internet is a repository of the width and depth of our collective thought, it becomes easier to manage. If Chaos theory is used to understand the vast mass of conflicting opinions, 'truths' and knowledge, the tasks of learning becomes that of finding the nodes or repositories of knowledge. Rather than learning individually from experience, knowledge exists and learning how to retrieve it in a giant external memory bank becomes the model of learning connectivity.
This metaphor parallels the connectivity of people in the globalised world. Knowledge and power becomes 'who you know' (networking) not so much 'what you know'. Knowledge is now available to everyone.
Learning has become life -long and life -wide and informal learning provides a bedrock to formal learning. Informal learning will soon become the most important learning paradigm.

Boundaries between people, culture, knowledge base, time, geography, organisations and individuals are becoming more fluid and transparent so that the flow of knowledge, global citizenship and democratic non- government decision making are taking a new direction. The new values include diversity and complexity, networking and care( nurturing) of connectives as well as self-motivation and self-organisation.
People need to learn different skills to negotiate the Internet and the knowledge revolution, including assessment of validity of information, critical analysis, reflective thinking, communication skills, experiential learning towards evolutionary concepts of ' survival of the fittest'.
There are Quantum theories - of trust and scaffolding of knowledge and still a place for linear thinking, but the Internet has taken over a connectivity style of relating

Conclusion

A revolution was created by the introduction of the Internet. Knowledge is shared and the power created for the people, by the people and of the people who are involved. Internet literate people will have the edge in survival. Education to navigate the nodes of connectivity is inherent and required by the Internet. Networking, diversity and care , the pillars of feminist theory are the pillars of Internet connectivity


Bibliography

George Siemens ( 2004)Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age
www.elearningspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm