Connectivism

As you can see in my mind map, my networks are mostly technology oriented. As I completed my map, I realized that the way that I learn now is vastly different than the way I learned throughout the majority of my life. When I attended high school and completed my bachelor's degree, the internet was in its infancy. Technology was really not present, and the computer I had really was only used for its word-processing capabilities.

It has been 15 years since I completed my bachelor's degree, and everything has changed. I now use the internet for everything from finding information to shopping online. My cell phone (now called a smart phone I suppose) now connects me to the internet at any time at any place.

Every single one of my networks invloves the use of the internet. If you had told me that this would be the case 15 years ago, would not have believed it. I was accustomed to learning the traditional way, in a classroom listening to an instructor and taking notes. Now that I use the systems and products listed in my mind map to learn, I cannot imagine how I learned before.

One of my favorite digital tools that helps to facilitate learning for me is my iPod. With it, I can download podcasts, store video and audio files and listen or view them later wirelessly.

The online Library is another great tool. I can find anything I am looking for in the comfort of my own home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The databases found in the library are far more comprehensive than what a typical brick and mortart library can hold.

My personal learning network supports the general tenents of Connectivism. This is evident in the fact that my tools are technological. I learn with the support of digital tools listed in my mind map. So my learning is shaped by the networks that I create. My knowledge is gathered this way now. In my younger years, learning was shaped in different ways, ways not based in technology and it was limited to some extent. If I truly use technology and likewise keep up-to-date with technology, I will grow as a learner. My resources are almost limitless with my network connections.