Module 3 & Analogy

A learner is like the seeds whom the sower went out to sow, and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up. Other seeds fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. Other seeds fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. Other seeds fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced crops a hundred times great.The four theories of learning can be compared to the four types of soil and since technology keeps on changing,the theories have changed over time to suit the learner.

Similarly, the needs of the learners of today are different from the learners of twenty years ago and knowledge is growing exceptionally as Gonzalez remarks,
"one of the most persuasive factors is the shrinking half-life of knowledge.The half-life of knowledge is the time span from when knowledge is gained to when it becomes obsolete,(2004)".
He explains that half of what is known today was not known ten years ago and that the amount of knowledge in the world has not only doubled in the past ten years but is still doubling every 18 months. In order to combat the shrinking half-life of knowledge, Siemens says, “technology is altering and rewiring our brains so that the tools we use define and shape our thinking." Therefore, the learners have to be well prepared to Know-how and know-what is being supplemented with know-where and understand where to find the knowledge needed.

In the video, The Changing Nature of knowledge,George Siemens explains the challenges we are facing in the society and how learning is changing.

Watch the video entitled, "The Changing Nature of Knowledge.".