A few weeks before starting the course, I read (and translated) some documents that were available on the CCK blog. In particular I focused on two Mr Downes texts:

-An Introduction to Connective Knowledge;

-Learning Networks and Connective Knowledge;

It is because I wanted to get an idea from the conceptual point of view, what is the meaning of Connectivism. (C.) In particular I have some considerations:

I appreciate that it has been underlined that the “network of networks” (brain), cannot be compared to a computer and how the human learning considerably differs from the computational process that takes place in the memory of a PC. The process of teaching/learning is much more complex and its simplification (reduction in computational operations) is a background error.

I agree with everything that was expressed by Mr. Downes but what surprised me was that, intervening with rational arguments, supported by most of his logic, he overlooked an equally important component involved in learning and interaction, which is emotional. I refer in particular to the concept of salience. Our perception, often unconscious and attention are strongly determined by the degree of motivation that we have against an object; if we need information, we try all channels to be able to obtain it. The same thing, in my opinion, happens for connective knoledge. It is considerably easier if you create an interactive level of gratifying interactions, where the person gets a role recognised and appreciated. It’s also essential to maintain relationships and create effective networks, as it is in our neural network.

I don’t have the intellectual tools and competence to determine whether C. is a new theory of learning, overall now I’m tending to try some kind of C. with my students, but I think that basically a sort of C. has always existed (see the example of 747, going back in time, even the construction of the Colosseum in ancient Rome has prompted a necessary connective knowledge). At the moment I would say that C. is certainly a "strategic competence", or a “meta-competence”, which is certainly enhanced by the use of new technologies that allow for connectivity entirely original, never seen before on the Earth. But the request of the degree of connectivity cannot only give priority to cognitive products (the new knowledge) but, if it wants to feed itself and grow, it must give care to the players.