Spare me the tirades, I’m here to learn
Perusing some of the discussion threads and blog posts on the CCK08 course I’m taking tonight I was met with a stark realisation that I’ve left a crucial element out of the description of my criteria for a personal learning network as well as the people in it: respect for others.
I made an attempt to look at some of the criticisms being leveled against the suggestion that Connectivism is a Learning Theory – and indeed the whole notion of Connectivism itself – and I am appalled by some of the attacks that are being passed off as “academic debate.” Healthy debate can inspire some valuable trains of thought, which in turn can motivate learners to support their opinions – or even realise conceptual holes – but this must be tempered by logic and objectivity and always respectful in nature. Some of the tirades I saw were anything but; and frankly I’m disgusted.
I want to make it clear at this point that I’ve yet to side either in favour or against the suggestion that Connectivism is a learning theory. What I’m interested in first is exploring the concept and underlying theories, discussing their implications and utility with others, and then perhaps eventually down the line coming to a logical, informed decision on where I stand. The end-all and be-all for me is to determine ways that the subject matter can support learning, and observing the different ways people use online tools and environments to support their own learning.
Trying to turn this very negative series of readings into something positive and relevant to the notion of the facilitation of online communities, this provides a valuable example of a really critical issue in online learning and interaction – the need for moderation. I’m not sure whether I’d go as far as saying intervention is necessary in some of the posts I read, but as a concept it warrants exploration.
In my experience, when I see an argument carried too far in a forum I’m immediately alienated and any sense of community cohesion quickly vanishes – often times taking with it my motivation for staying. I’ve left countless discussion groups because of this exact thing; and I suspect I’m not alone there. Group members who hurl verbal attacks and abuse are exceptionally self-centred people who exhibit a complete disregard for the values and wishes of others.
It’s also highlighted several factors about blogging that I highly value and cherish. Blogs are very personal spaces, where the blogger makes and enforces the rules; they need not suffer any conduct they don’t approve of.
Make no mistake though, I have no intention of abandoning this course because of a few bad apples – I find the subject matter too interesting and valuable to do otherwise. I’ve also had some wonderful discussions with people and expect this trend to continue. However I will think twice before returning to some of the centralised spaces again and will be highly selective about the blogs I read. With nearly 2,000 students in the course and a lot of existing literature there is no need to frequent areas where the values and conduct are out of phase with my own.
I’m here to learn, not to argue.
More than that though, my ultimate focus lay with the big picture: How to best and most effectively support the learning experience of others. As Alan Levine said (”I Swear! A Behaviorist Dog Ate My Homework!“):
“Why are people so doggedly tied to a theory? Is one theory fit all? I kind of see useful bits across the spectrum. But the bickering back and forth, the battle to quote the most obscure academic reference, is, well for me… uninteresting.
I care more about what we do with all this.
