EDLD 5364

During the first week, we were introduced to three different Learning Theories:  Constructivism Theory, Connectivism Theory, and Cyborg Learning Theory. The first theory, Constructivism, I am very familiar with.  This theory is based on the premise that learners begin with what a person knows about a subject, topic, or item.  As described by Vygotski, a learner gains new information from instruction through reading, hearing, or collaborating about the information.  By doing this, the learner adds to his or her personal baseline knowledge and creates new knowledge.  It is considered to be a continual process where students are making connections as they find sources of information through interactions and databases.  Connectivism regards learning as more complex than just constructing knowledge within an individual. This learning theory is considered to be a continual process-more about knowing where to find knowledge needed within various networks.  It includes what we gain internally as an individual learner as well as what we can learn from our interactions with external networks such as human social interactions and technology-based databases. Of the three learning theories, the Cyborg Theory was the most interesting.  It is described as a futuristic model that implants devices to connect machines in humans.  Implanting a chip into the brain that will improve communication seems like a very dangerous procedure but it is described as a reality that might change human evolution.  The possibility of being able to plug a computer directly into ones nervous system or download information directly into the brain will definitely change education the way we have it today (Warwirk, 2008).  Ray Kurzweil predicts that the melding of humans and technological devices will have tremendous implications for education. 

                                                       Citing

Abbott, J. (nd). Building Knowledge: Constructivism in Learning. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F00R3pOXzuk

Siemens, G. (nd). The Changing Nature of Knowledge  [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMcTHndpzYg

Warwirk, K. (nd). Cyborg Life [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB_l7SY_ngI