Learning Through Networking: Connectivism (Mod. 4)

How has your network changed the way you learn? 
As I have gotten older my networks have expanded to include a wide variety of people and professionals.  Because of this I am able to lean on the knowledge of those in my networks more than ever.  Instead of seeking my own knowledge from the start, I am able to access the information and knowledge of those in my networks.  Although it would be easy to take the word of some in my networks, this often leads to further research.  I would say that my learning has become a combination of discovery learning and information verification.


Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?
Depending on the topic, there may be a wide variety of tools that facilitate learning for me.  In a formal learning setting, the class discussions on our classes at Walden University help me learn best.  It is always enlightening to see and read the different perspectives of people in the class discussion.  Because instructional technology encompasses more professions than just teachers and educators, it is always informative to hear the perspective of those in the business sector, or those in the private sector in general.  

When it comes to the social learning or things involving my family, Facebook is generally something that facilitates learning the best.  While that may seem overly simplistic, Facebook offers communication that is informative and can be synchronous and asynchronous.  It allows for me to discover information without directly contacting the people posting information.  It also allows me to contact and communicate with a wife variety of people across great distances.  This is something that would inhibit communicating with telephones and letters.  

How do you learn new knowledge when you have questions?
I have always been a discovery learner.  Before seeking this opinion of those close to me, I seek to find as much information as possible on the topic in question.  Once I find information I measure the new found information against when I previously thought about the topic.  Of course this also depends on the nature of the topic.  Within my networks exist experts on various topics.  There may be times when I seek their knowledge before building my own knowledge.  Each situation calls for a different style of inquiry.