I was really encouraged after reading Veletsianos and Navarrete (2012) to look at new Social Network Systems (SNS) to replace the tired, traditional LMS environment. The authors identified a SNS in their article, Elgg (http://elgg.org (Links to an external site.)), which is an open source environment that serves as a central social learning system. Elgg, in my opinion, enables the optimization of constructivist learning environments by providing a single platform that supports open sharing, comparing, and confirmation of knowledge. Elgg and a similar platform, Ning (www.ning.com/) (Links to an external site.), also support key connectivist principles, such as using learning content as a starting point for further exploration to personalize learning activities in support of the individual learner’s expected outcomes. What really inspired me about this reading was the integration of learning theory, pedagogy, and technology to design a system of learning, SNS, where the components of this system (learning theory, science, and technologies) were considered in a holistic approach to create an advanced 21st Century learning environment. Much different than your dad’s LMS.
Important to note is that the authors tried but could not determine if the application of learning science fundamentals (pedagogy, andragogy, heutagogy) and/or integration of complementary learning technologies led to students’ satisfaction with the SNS environment, which included the value students found in peer collaboration, support, connections, and interactions. This was really interesting to me, in that I don’t believe you can try to separate components of the learning system to triangulate to identify component-specific learning efficacy. We have to take a holistic approach to understanding any systems effectiveness, whether it is a learning or environmental system. If you eliminate a single component from the system, the system does not function as expected and will not lead to expected outcomes. For example, remove water from a filtration system, what happens? They system cannot function to produce clean water. It’s the same with learning systems, in this case, SNS, if you remove learning science from the design, the system is not optimized. If you remove learning theory principles from the design, the efficacy of the system is at risk. Remove the social learning technologies and the SNS is not optimized.
My enlightenment with SNS and Elgg.org led me to exploring this system and its potential application at IU, with a focus on the IST program. How many times has a synchronous group project meeting led to questions about previous courses and discussion about enrollment for the subsequent semester? This got me to thinking of the practical application of Elgg as an IST SNS, “IST Social” which would provide ways for IST students to deepen connections and share information about classes and associated challenges with sequencing, etc. We could also share recent, and IST-relevant articles reviewed as ongoing professional and academic development. Hmm, sounds like a final or program capstone project.
George Veletsianos & Cesar C. Navarrete (2012, January). Online Social Networks as Formal Learning Environments: Learner Experiences and Activities. International Review of Research on Open and Distance Learning (IRRODL), 13(1).Available: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1078/2077 (Links to an external site.)
Constructive Blogging 