Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

Social learning theories are based on the idea that students are actively engaged with others in creating an artifact. Differing from constructionist in that involvement of creating the artifact is collaborative rather than individual.

I believe that when learning activities are designed to include social learning theories, students use HOTS (higher order thinking skills) to test ideas, revise or affirm ideas, and create a network to connect learning. Technology can aid students by offering them a global network of communication and giving students a real world look at different ideas and perspectives, because experiences from peers in different parts of the world may lend to different understandings of certain concepts.

Technology such as VoiceThread, web quests and website creation (just to name a few) can be used in group setting to create an artifact. Students in the group can problem-solve together, and builds on the basic components presented in Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works.