There are transformations around education and learning, especially in well developed or developing countries. And I couldn’t answer that “when do trends become revolution?” as well. And if we have a crystal ball, and see what will come next, then we may be able to pass a judgment on our revolutionary or evolutionary status.
Unfortunately, there is a big issue: the “rich gets richer and poor gets poorer”. I am talking about the wealth of knowledge amongst people and communities, not the physical wealth only. If we compare what has happened in well developed countries and those in under-developed countires, we could see a big difference in the knowledge development amongst people and communities. That’s why people are talking about knowledge workers and knowledge nation. And the gap between the “haves” and “have nots” in terms of knowledge and education infrastructure have been imminent, especially amongst the under-developed communities and nations. How could we address those equity issues? Technology? Automation? Connectivism?? Investment? Help or aids? Education? This deserves more discussion. Agree?
Even the wealthiest people or governments on earth are now investing heavily in education – research and development in drugs against various diseases, building universities and schools and sponsoring different initiatives or faculties. Why? Is it because they are the visionaries who could help the poor, the disadvantaged??
In this respect, education is not just about on-line learning, or how we are better connected through such technology, though these are all very important. It should also address the equity issues, in order to bring about a complete change in education, in knowledge creation and development, and to make a significant contribution in adding value to individuals, organisations, corporate business, and community. To stay competitive amongst communities, nations. And thus building up a better community, nation or world to live in….Do we have that obligation as well? Collaboration and contribution is the key…. and connectivism… may appeal to some of us…as an initiative…
Education is the means towards the goals, and learning is the process. And our goals (or vision) might be towards the building of both a personal and a community “bank of knowledge” and a “wealth of knowledge” that could weave and contribute to the building of a better community, or even a nation – a “knowledge nation”.
Education must be for the benefit of mankind, so as to combat diseases, reduce the impact of disasters, control the risks due to both natural and articificial disasters, help the poor, console the disadvantaged, sick and poor; generate wealth and maintain health amongst its people etc. in order to become a more prosperous society. Sustainability and innovation in education may be the key towards such prosperity globally.
That’s why we have this course, I suppose. To share our views on learning and education, to illustrate that education and learning could be “free”, and put the concept of technology being an enabler in the contribution and consumption of knowledge into practice, (the spirit behind the Web 2.0 platform).
That knowledge can be shared by everyone and distributed to those who want it, when they want it and how they want it, even for those isolated communities who have difficulties in communicating with each other face to face.
Everyone is learning, and when connected, we can learn better, instantaneously (subject to qualification and proof). I hope this is not perceived as patronising, as this is only my personal perception and experience. So connectivism is not just about theory in principle, it must be practised…. and this is your and our opportunity! I think connectivism is part of our experience in this learning journey, and it will probably sustain throughout our life!
Of course, there are risks, unwanted or unwarranted comments and criticisms, perceptions and judgment, power issues, and emotional responses in this connected learning environment and networks – in blogs, moodle, forum, podcast etc.. It’s up to each of us to handle them. And it could be a huge challenge for some of us (it is one for me 
LOL). And that’s part of everyone’s learning journey, when connected. Is it revolutionary in itself for you??? I don’t know!
It seems that this has become a revolution inside my mind, perhaps, when it comes to connectivism, technology and the way I learn. Even if it is not a revolution in the physical world from a historical perspective. You could feel the impact.
However, I have always been humbled by the knowledge of the crowd – the Voice of the Crowd. That’s: the more I know, the more I know that I don’t know…. indeed. And it’s worthwhile to see the world just like Alice in Wonderland…..who walked into the fantasy world to experience its wonders.
We are just distanced by “press of the return key or a click of the mouse” despite that we might be “tens of thousands of kilometres away”. Has it happened before?
How about your views?
Learner Weblog 