Design And Application Research Of Personal Learning Environment Based On Connectivism

In recent years, due to the rapidly development of web technology and the prevalence of emerging learning concept such as "life-long learning", "life-wide learning", "informal learning", "connected Learning" and so on, people has shifted their attention on digital learning environment from virtual learning environment to personal learning environment. The current research about personal learning environment is still in its infancy and relatively broad, embodied in the following two aspects:on the one hand, the study about the connotation of personal learning environment is not thorough, on the other, the research about learning activity design,knowledge transformation and regeneration in personal learning environment is almost no involved. Based on those, this study attempt to inspect and solve those questions existed in the processes of design and application of personal learning environment from the perspective of Connectivism learning theory.This research demonstrates the applicableness of constructing PLE from the perspective of Connectivism learning theory, and analyzes the connotation and feature of PLE. Then, we build a theoretical model of Personal learning environment based on Connectivism theory. The model have three main functions, that is, "supporting the formation of learning network", "fostering and promoting learning flow" and "supporting the creation of learning ecology system". This study interprets the model from three aspects:the connotation of elements, driving mechanism and guarantee mechanism. The study points the PLE model is composed of learner, interpersonal communication network, personal resources network, tools, services and dissects its connotation. Then, we put forward that knowledge flow cycle is the driving mechanism of PLE model operation and concretely discuss the process of knowledge flow cycle inside of personal learning environment and learning ecosystem. Finally, we propose the guarantee mechanism of model operation from the following three aspects:"node", "link", "knowledge flow", that is, "cultivating the key nodes and improving the quality of connection", "establishing semantic relevance and promoting effective connection", "constructing micro resources and promoting knowledge flow".Under the guidance of personal learning environment model based on Connectivism theory, the paper discusses the general processes of applying personal learning environment for learning in the theoretical level. The processes include four stages:"connecting related nodes and establishing knowledge pipe", "building learning community and forming interpersonal communication network", "encoding knowledge and optimizing personal resources network", "co-constructing & sharing and promoting knowledge flow". Finally, this paper has implemented the theoretical model of Personal learning environment and general processes of applying personal learning environment for learning and analyzed the effect. Through interviewing the learner and analyzing the backend data of Elgg, we come to the conclusion that the theoretical PLE model and the general processes of applying this model are reasonable and effective.