We all have some intuition about the fact that the 21st-century connected world has opened doors to new ways of looking at teaching and learning. We all feel like there is potential to tap into. We might not know how to do it, but we often catch wind of something amazing going on. We are asked to make our teaching more relevant, more personal. We may not feel like we have the tools to do it, but we feel the pressure with this felt potential.
We also know that this potential goes beyond simply what technology offers. It is the human element that makes the difference. It is not enough that online games are more engaging, that apps are more intuitive, that our devices are more powerful. We recognize that education is about the heart. Therefore, it is not about the games, apps and devices, but more the doors those games, apps, and devices open. What, in the end, do they do for us? And how do they help us get to a place of meaning. Really, in education these days, the question has to be: what matters?
I have been trying to share an approach to teaching that can give us a framework regarding answering that question: forming learning relationships needs to be the foundation of learning. Learning must be based on making human connection. I have called it Connections-based Learning I also recognize that there are many terms out there that have been used to add meaning to the idea of connecting our classrooms.
The first order of business should always be to define the terms. What I would like to do is to look at the terms surrounding connection in education to help us reach some common language. The terms Connected Learning, Connections-based Learning, Global Education, and Connected Education are not synonymous. They each have their focus and I will attempt to give each term a solid spotlight in order to clarify the connected landscape.
Connected Learning
Connected Learning: The power of making learning relevant from Connected Learning Alliance on Vimeo.
Connected Learning is a type of learning based on student personal interest. Connected Learning - an agenda for research and design states that "Connected learning is realized when a young person pursues a personal interest or passion with the support of friends and caring adults, and is in turn able to link this learning and interest to academic achievement, career possibilities, or civic engagement." - (Ito, M. et al., 2013).
Connected Learning: The power of making learning relevant from Connected Learning Alliance on Vimeo.
Connected Learning is a type of learning based on student personal interest. Connected Learning - an agenda for research and design states that "Connected learning is realized when a young person pursues a personal interest or passion with the support of friends and caring adults, and is in turn able to link this learning and interest to academic achievement, career possibilities, or civic engagement." - (Ito, M. et al., 2013).
It has a focus on educational reform which includes addressing and eliminating ethnic achievement gaps. The desire is to "bring together in-school and out-of-school learning and activity." and form deeper bonds between different spheres of learning.
Examples of Connected Learning:
"Examples of learning environments that integrate peer, interest, and academic pursuits including athletics programs that are tied to in-school recognition, certain arts and civic learning programs, and interest-driven academic programs such as math, chess, or robotics competitions. These connected learning environments embody values of equity, social belonging, and participation." - p.8 (Ito, M. et al., 2013)
See the Connected Learning Alliance for more information
Connected Education
Connected Education has a focus on online learning activities. The term Connected Education was first used in conjunction with personalized learning in the form of online lessons describing the groundbreaking work of Paul Levinson and Tina Vozick. In the 80's, they created masters degree programs that could be completed online. The term Connected Education continues to be used to describe any kind of learning that uses the internet in some capacity.
Here is a 2008 Connected Education video on digitizing lessons. The early focus on Connected Education was to have video lessons readily and easily available for learning.
The term is still used very generally today. You can see that in the information gathered by the New York Times Learning Network in this post: What connected education looks like - 28 examples from teachers all over.
Examples of Connected Education:
In the article What connected education looks like - 28 examples from teachers all over, you can see connected education as:
- utilizing learning networks such as Edmodo
- compiling pictures that students take with their devices around a certain topic
- collaborative projects with other classes
- educators blogging about classroom experiences
- district-wide twitter chats
- creating web-based lessons
- sharing educator resources using online bulletin boards like Padlet
Global Education
Global Education has a focus on seeing the world as a whole. Learning about the world, its needs, and what must be done to meet those needs is key. In the province of Alberta, we have the Centre for Global Education. This Edmonton Public Schools organization provides opportunities for students to learn about global issues and "the potential youth have to shape a common future" through online conferences and interactive sessions. You get an understanding of Global Education as the TCGE describes its mission:
"The mission of The Centre for Global Education (TCGE) is to educate 21st Century students for a 21st Century world by providing global learning opportunities, enhanced through technology, informed by sound research and innovative teaching."
In Atlanta, Georgia there is The Consortium for Global Education. Their desire is to provide opportunities for students and teachers to help develop global worldview through school partnerships, student exchanges, and collaborative research.
The Centre for Global Education in Belfast focuses on achieving a "just and equitable world". They remind us that part of Global Education is to influence leaders and policy makers, to support organizations that foster social and economic equality, and "to promote an understanding of the interdependency of people across the world."
Examples of Global Education:
- learning about the social and economic needs of another country
- student trips and exchanges
- raising funds for relief organizations
- campaigning for social and economic equality
- service projects that meet needs in a key area of need
- learning global citizenship and sustainable lifestyles
See: The Maastricht Global Education Declaration for more definitions on Global Education.
Here is an example of a Global Education project by The Wonderment where students changed a Guatemalan bus into a mobile library:
Connections-based Learning is an approach to teaching and learning that leverages the connected world by connecting students with their community, learning from experts, supporting organizations, or partnering with peers.
While Connected Learning uses connection to support students' own interests, Connections-based Learning has connection running through every facet of the process. Connected Learning is a more free flowing process that harnesses a student's everyday experience while Connections-based Learning focuses on connecting students with learning or action partners. Connected Education includes utilizing apps to maximize learning; Connections-based Learning uses apps to promote connection to maximize learning. While Global Education often includes a true connection with others outside the classroom, Connections-based Learning must include a connection. Global Education looks out to find the needs of the world; Connections-based Learning looks around finding connection anywhere--from home and the community all the way to the ends of the earth. For Global Education, learning is focused on the world and its needs; Connections-based Learning could include learning about stem cells, or white water rafting, or Mars.
The infographic below clearly shares the nature of Connections-based Learning. This infographic was created in collaboration with Leigh Cassell (see her amazing resource called the digital Human Library) who had a huge hand in the images, wording and focus of this resource.
Clarity is crucial as educators. And without a common language, we are not truly communicating clearly. As connected educators, let's work together to achieve a common understanding as we seek to make better teaching and learning. Please share your thoughts!
References
"Connected Learning". Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Mar. 8, 2016. Web. Aug. 31, 2016.
Europe-wide Global Education Congress (2002). The Maastricht Global Education Declaration. Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Ito, M.; Gutiérrez, K.; Livingstone, S.; Penuel, B.; Rhodes, J.; Salen, K.; Schor, J.; Sefton-Green, J.; Watkins, S.G. (2013). Connected learning: An agenda for research and design (PDF). Irvine, CA: Digital Media and Learning Research Hub.
