Connectivism is a learning theory that knowledge is not acquired and that learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions. Stephen Downes, one of the founders of Connectivism, stated in his blog post “WHAT CONNECTIVISM IS” in 2004 that “at its heart, connectivism is the thesis that knowledge is distributed across a network of connections, and therefore that learning consists of the ability to construct and traverse those networks”.
I both agree and disagree with this theory. Knowledge can still be acquired, and should still be acquired, through self learning. Knowledge starts somewhere, it does not appear spontaneously. Knowledge is gained through personal experiences, critical thinking, reading, discussions and your network of connections. The connections we form can aid in our learning, but we can not limit our learning or knowledge to our connections.
As I work with students in higher education, I find a prevailing thought process that teachers jobs are to give them information. They do not need to do the readings and answers should just be given to them. I find this lack of ownership towards learning to be a side effect of connectivism. Before you can contribute and also gain knowledge from your network, you must have a baseline of knowledge yourself which can only be acquired through self learning.
What we learn is up to us. It is not up to others to learn for us and then share that knowledge.