Connected Learning and Affinity Spaces
Leap Day flickr photo by garlandcannon shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license
Learning has always centered on community. We did not invent anything with the web. Traveling and teaching together long been a survival strategy of mammals
Neighborhood schools, apprenticeships, artist guilds. Community is the content. Yet these learning centers were restricted by the constraints of geogpraphy, time and power.
The web could change this. Jury still out on this as the same patterns of inequity actually get reinforced.
Yet when you look at learning communities, whether online, like affinity spaces, or using a multi-generational connected learninglens as part of a church choir group you knowledge brokering occur.
The Readings
Learning
. Exploring the Literate Trajectories of Youth Across Time and Space. Extended Mind Activity and Culture PDF
Networked Teachers
. Professor Alec Couros: “The Connected Teacher”. Connected Learning Alliance Video
Affinity Spaces
. PAccountable Talk and Learning in Popular Culture: The Game/Affinity Paradigm. Title Unknown PDF
The Tasks
Read
Complete the readings.
Make some way to display what defines connected affinity spaces. Fill it out as you read. Share when done.
Write
Post on Your Blog
How does networked learning support co-learning? How might one utilize a networked learning environment in order to establish co-learning and peer-learning?
Participate
Co-Learn
Get a partner. Find a space you two believe is an affinity space driven by co-learning. Find somebody in that space. Ask them how they co-learn. Ask them about the stuff Gee says makes an Affinity Space. Together teach us about the space you investigated.
Criteria
- Complete a content analysis of an affinity space
- Analyze the situated nature of learning
Evidence
- Matrix or semantic chart of characteristics of affinity spaces and a learning space
- Blog Posts comparing co-learning environment
- Reflections on the interview describe role of society in learning or include other media.