Barriers to Connectivism

I have spent time looking into social media use in classroom instruction. The greatest takeaway from that exploration is the contrast between the value connectivist principles could offer and the barriers in place that prevent most teachers from leveraging that value.

Barriers span a range from understanding the value of connected learning to concerns about access to the Internet/devices to unclear or nonexistent policy about social media. The culture in some of the schools that I work in is deeply rooted in traditional pedagogy. Without instructional leadership they will continue to do what they have always done. Even new, young teachers who understand and value a connected world will fall in line in this culture. Additional concerns about access to devices at school and at home will deter those who understand and want to connect students online. This is an especially sensitive topic in districts with high percentages of economically disadvantaged learners. Those teachers who push past these initial barriers, will find that they are discouraged to continue due to administrative fears based on unclear or nonexistent policy on the topic. My district currently discourages teachers and students from connecting on social media. As long as these barriers are in place, it will be difficult for public school districts like my own to embrace what we have been calling 21st Century learning.