Talkin' 'bout my cerebration.

Recent discussions at a conference I was co-presenter for, and a follow up thread on Twitter, re-posed the persistent question of “How do you know all this stuff?”  My co-presenter Adrian (@agrei8) and I spent 15 minutes essentially advising the conference particiipants that in fact we as individuals don’t know “all this stuff.”  As innovators sich as readers of this blog know, it is collaborative knowledge that is important in a modern world.  The concepts of connectivisma dn tranformative learning rely on the understanding that the individual cannot retain all the knowledge they require to solve the problems they are presented with.  It is the connections we make, the contribution to collaborative knowledge that is the key to success.

So how do I connect?  In truth, there are many and varied ways.  I will present these as a list of things to do to ensure enhancement of collaborative knowledge.

1. Comment on others’ blogs.
2. Contribute to a public wiki.
3. Join Twitter – follow someone you have some knowledge of and follow their followers
4. Find, join and contribute to relevant email discussion lists.
5. Keep your email address book heavy yet informed.
6. Bookmark socially.
7. Converse

I have made productive connections through all of these methods.  I am comfortable not knowing everything I need to know, I can find the information when I want it.

What makes this possible – people sharing.  I am constantly amazed at the generosity of other educators out there who willingly and freely share advice and information to any who seek it.  It is this generosity and ensures connectivism and transformative learning is possible.

So, I urge you, connect.  And learn.