Running Head: UNIT EIGHT 1

Unit Eight: Reflective PaperConnectivist’s Perspective

Lauren Fowler-Carter

University of Houston – Clear Lake

UNIT EIGHT 2

Unit Eight: Reflective PaperConnectivist’s Perspective

Criticisms that have been discussed about connectivism vary depending on one’s

perspective of the theory. Connectivism focuses on the power of networks, suggesting that

learning is beneficial outside of their own self-learning. A criticism suggests that connectivism

and the “power of the network” may begin to have a connectivist start to lose and deny the

importance “of the individual and the learning that occurs inside ‘our heads’” (Connectivism,

2006). I do believe that this criticism is a valid suggestion of an issue towards connectivism,

because this seems to be a plausible scenario that would happen to a connectivist. It is possible to

take advantage of the power of the network, but also in addition, learn for one self through

personal experiences. This criticism could also be tied into the connectivist’s personality,

because naturally there are some personalities that feed off of others (i.e. networks, learning from

others’ experiences). So I could see this type of personality potentially denying the learning that

occurs in their “own head”.

Critics, including Bill Kerr, believe that “although technology does affect learning

environments, existing learning theories are sufficient” (Connectivism). This criticism is one that

would depend on the person’s perspective. Some people believe that the learning theories that

have already been applied for many are sufficient, but there are others that believe the opposite.

Critics also suggest that as education continuously changes and new technologies develop and

become implemented, what is not needed is “a new stand-alone theory for the digital age, but

model that integrates the different theories to guide the design of online learning materials”

(Connectivism). This could be an arguable statement, because even if there was a model that

integrated the different theories, basically creating a melting pot of theories, contradictions are

bound to arise within the model.

UNIT EIGHT 3

References(2006, November 21st). Retrieved November 27, 2011, from Connectivism:

http://www.connectivism.ca/?p=75

Connectivism. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2011, from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectivism#Criticisms