Concepts of the networked professional - Task 3B

The BAPP course reader identified a number of different concepts of the professional network which many of us use within our profession, perhaps subconsciously, naturally, without realising or with an intention. The difficulty here is that human characteristics and environment may determine an individual's purpose for using these network concepts, .and these intentions are likely to remain hidden, resulting in possible conflicts of interest, dishonesty, trust. The main theory which I believe to be open to dishonesty is 'Co-operation.'

Co-operation is the 'Game Theory' 'succeeding at another's expense', 'cooperating till maximum benefit then to defect'. Cooperation is related to this, working with someone in the same business as you who could help you get to the next step. It is the will and the way to win.

" When should a  person cooperate, and when should a person be selfish, in an ongoing
interaction with another person? Should a friend keep providing favours to
another friend who never reciprocates? " Robert Axelrod (1984)

I believe that Co-operation is important for every professional. It can help to develop a close network of friends and colleagues. I remain cautious of others however, due to other people's reasons for co-operating. I have experienced dishonesty in the past and personally dislike the "game playing" tactic used by some. If everyone in the profession were honest and true there would be no facade. Unfortunately "If you scratch my back i'll scratch yours" only works as long as the other person wishes to co-operate and not to "stab you in the back" for selfish reward.
I feel that I personally need to work on increasing my affiliation with certain people in my profession/colleagues in order to strength relationships and for increased support. "The desire to form closer relationships" (Chris and Turner 2007:266)

Axelrod suggested we "consider how patterns of stimulus and response within our networks operate, and how we can take advantage of them for our own benefit?"

Affiliation is the formation of human relationships, often to provide support, help us when in need and to survive. Crisp and Turner (2007) advises that "a successful career requires effective professional networking. A lack of affiliation may have a lasting negative impact."


However I use the concept of constructivism on a daily basis. Interacting with other people face to face allows me to learn and grow in my profession. Social construction is how you create and interpret meaning from your experiences of the world through interaction with others.

"Learners must discover their own meaning for a new concept, linked to their own prior learning." (Geoff Petty 2009:104)

As a practitioner in Performing Arts I enjoy maintaining social interaction when possibly. This enables me to interpret meaning and therefore to gain knowledge. Do you think that you many learn using this theory sub consciously more than are perhaps aware of? As from reading and commenting on other BAPP students blogs, i noticed a pattern where many have identified connectivism as one of their most important methods for networking. I can also relate to using this concept, using social networking sites on-line more regularly since starting my BAPP course. Timetabling a specific time slot in which to do this has certainly enabled me to benefit from an expanding social network and in turn to gain increased knowledge.

From Afi Agyerman's blog I followed the link she recommended http://www.linkedin.com/answers/professional-development/professional-networking/PRO_PNT/970489-10197795

Paul N a philanthropic adviser and a networking professional himself believes that connecting with people and sharing ideas is the most important way to move forwards, "the internet gives you the tools to achieve this."he said with regards to the network site linkedin "how does linkedin help? By connecting you with people you already know helps you keepo in touch, increase contact and referral because this address book updates itself".

Connectivism is a more widely used concept since the greater development of technology. It is when learning is influenced by technologies, such as the internet and social networking sites. Knowledge and information is up dated regularly therefore connectivism enables a person to continual evolve. and to stay current. Internet sites such as Blog, Facebook, Google, Twitter enable you to stay in touch with a wider network of people. You can research, gain knowledge, discuss and share ideas and receive feedback. I have found connecting to people on the internet is an effective method for maintaining relationships, allowing discussion within an increased network of colleagues, who you may not have time to speak to face to face on a regular basis with work commitments. I have discovered this concept to personally be more beneficial to me as a learning tool since I have managed to timetable a time slots for networking with others. This enables me to stay current in a rapidly evolving information ecology. Organisational information change. Organisations can also use connectivism as a form of communication and can focus on specialised information, choosing what to circulate and who should and is important for the effectiveness of its employees. This concept will enable colleagues to have access to and learn new information, allowing learners to connect with the right data and to stay current in their field. The individual maintains the freedom to decide on the importance of particular information. Therefore decision making is also a learning process as part of connectivism. The reader suggests that "taking a connectivist perspective, we might suggest a professional network is a system with which we can interact to learn."

Therefore has connectivism become the most effective learning concept for many professionals? Afi Agyerman, Steph Larty, Annie Walker and Ahmet Ahmet blogs all seem to favour connectivism. I agree that connectivism is widely used by many of us specialists as a method of keeping up to date with current trends and views, made possible by the Internet. Surely this form of learning will see a continual growth in practitioners due to constant technology developments and the easy access to information and social networking sites?

"Knowledge furnishes the means of understanding or giving meaning to what is still going on and what is to be done." John Dewey (year: 180)

Albert Bandura proposed that learning can occur in relation to three models, Live, Verbal and symbolic and believed that an individuals behaviour is influenced by their characteristics and the environment. 'In order to learn an individual must pay attention to the features of the modelled behaviour'. Behaviourism is a learning theory which suggests that learning is affected by changes in behaviour, and that behaviour can be conditioned to encourage a particular learning.

"conditioning may result in change in behaviour, but the change may not involve drawing upon experience to generate new knowledge." (infed.org/biblio/b-learn.htm)

Maslow and Bloom created diagrams to demonstrate their belief in how and why humans behave and learn. Maslows hierarchy of needs for learning is based on the study of human learning and behaviour, listing in order the reason why people learn or behave in a particular way.

www.maslowshierarcyofneeds.net/maslows-hierarcy-of-needs-theory/

Whereas Blooms taxonomy of learning (the cognitive domain 1956) categories six major methods for learning, suggesting that knowledge is gained through the development of specific intellectual skills on the individuals. See diagram in link.

www.google.co.uk/images?imgurl=http://uwf.edu/cutla/images/bloom_taxonomy.

What else do you think can be learnt from these theories?