Looking at theories related to networking on the reader and other internet sources, there are so many ideas to reflect upon. Theories that I had not considered before or if I had, had not put such emphasis on pigeon holing them each individually as concepts. These complex concepts are different for each individual as they apply to our own unique networks in various ways.
Cooperation
I know of performers that will squeeze information from others for personal gain and have not reciprocated or have denied knowledge of auditions. This is a world of networks that I feel is negative and is within the field that I am now loosely affiliated with. This is one of the reasons I stopped auditioning, I did not enjoy or like the experience and feel that I would rather have positive networks around me as much as possible. I know that very often it's a 'dog eat dog world', I find myself reeling at the prospect. I saw a piece of art once that I found very poignant, it represented terrorism and the caption was 'An eye for an eye, makes the whole world blind'. Coming from a small close nit family I found comfort in these words. Not everyone is out for themselves. I feel this is how I network. Sometimes maybe I am a little too generous, but I am happy in the knowledge that I did my best for others. Hopefully, if karma exists, one day ill get mine.
The course reader (The Networked Professional 2010, Pg 2) describes cooperation as a theory closely associated with 'Game Theory'. It's origin's lie in the desire to model games where a player succeeds at another expense. Reading further, Axelrod (1984) was one of the most influential researchers in the field and identified this. I found that his TIT FOR TAT theory made a lot of sense. The Prisoner's Dilemma game further enhanced my understanding. Cooperation and a little selfishness did give you a better result. Perhaps a little selfishness won't hurt? I know that this is the natural order of things and that 'It uses an evolutionary perspective because people are often in situations where effective strategies continue to be used and ineffective strategies are dropped.'(The Networked Professional, 2010, pg4)
Affiliation
I agree with this theory and couldn't argue the use of affiliation. Affiliation is the desire and need to 'form close relationships' (Crisp & Turner, 2007 pp266) as a social result of psychological processes operating in our brains and provides us 'with network of support that will help us when we are in need'(Crisp & Turner 2007 pp266). Loneliness is always perceived as a negative feeling and know one I know likes to be alone. We naturally seek friendships and relationships and this is our innate need to network. Whether it be for comfort or love, individuals root for friendship, companionship and professional alliances. I suppose we surround ourselves with these affiliations to help support our needs.
Social Constructionism
According to the Reader this theory describes networks as 'large social constructions.' I agree that ‘existing and future new networks are ‘made’ and the meanings they make are not predetermined.' (The Networked Professional, 2010 pg)
Constructionism 'is the view that all knowledge, and therefore all meaningful reality as such, is contingent upon human practices, being constructed in and out of interaction between human beings and their world, and developed and transmitted within an essentially social context.'
Networking is an individual’s construction for communication and knowledge. We ourselves put emphasis on there value and meaning. Whether a connection is needed or wanted is our own decision. This I understand, however I don't quite agree that 'meaning is not discovered but constructed' (The Networked Professional 2010, pg 7) as this entirely relies on intention. If it is not your intention to keep a contact then their use of you in their network is not constructed by you but discovered.
Heidegger and Merleau Pontys’ 'always already there'(Networked Professional 2010, pg 8), highlights the fact that appropriate networks are out there, I’ve just got to make the right connections to develop my own Professional Practice.
Connectivism
Relates to 'Network Theory' and explains how nodes in a network connect and interact. Learning is described as 'integration of principles explored by chaos, network, and complexity and self organization theories' and that 'knowledge is constructed from the forms and patterns of connections made.(The Networked Professional 2010, pg and 15)
Networking is a part of learning and learning is a developing process within networking.
Siemens, G. (2004) theory that “learning must be a way of being – an ongoing set of attitudes and actions by individuals and groups that they employ to try to keep abreast of the surprising, novel, messy, obtrusive, recurring events…” (1996, p42)
(The Networked Professional 2010, pg 8 and 9)
Gonzalez (2004) describes the challenges of rapidly diminishing knowledge life: “One of the most persuasive factors is the shrinking half life of knowledge", explaining the rate of information becoming 'obsolete', as it is evolving and expanding, far quicker due to technologies and tools available to our generation. Now, we gain information for professional practices that enables us to develop or change career maybe once or twice in a lifetime, compared with 20 years ago when one lifetime profession was normal.
We learn differently in this day and age, I agree with the collective theories and concepts within the reader, instead of learning from one source or one teacher we now learn from communities of practice, personal networks, and through completion of work related tasks. This idea also supports the notion that 'Technology is altering (rewiring) our brains. The tools we use define and shape our thinking.'
Keeping up to date and current with networking tools is the difference between success and failure. Keeping on top of the ever developing and changing technologies will sustain relevance as a practitioner.
Karen Stephenson states: “Experience has long been considered the best teacher of
knowledge. Since we cannot experience everything, other people’s experiences, and
hence other people, become the surrogate for knowledge. ‘I store my knowledge in my
friends’ is an axiom for collecting knowledge through collecting people (undated).”
Staying up to date with networks maintains continuous learning to facilitate my professional practice.
I conclude that the effective use available networks will facilitate learning and will sustain a healthy career. This is a developing process and one that is ongoing. I will be using networks to gain knowledge long after I have finished this course. Identifying value from networks and using them for self betterment will allow my professional practice to prosper. At the moment I'm using networks within the blog system to contribute towards my learning experience, in the future maintaining contacts and finding new networks will continue to advance my knowledge and create career options. I hadn't previously considered the notion that we use networks to gain information, it is now obvious, for example auditions and teaching posts could be found through a friend or professional acquaintance.
Communities of Practice
Lave and Wenger (1991 pp98‐100) 'learning occurs through centripetal participation in the learning curriculum of the ambient community', 'knowledge is within a community of practice'.
A network can be described as a community. From that community of networks knowledge gained is constructive towards our professional practice. Reading further this theory is similar to connectivism as it describes learning as co‐participation. This also supports the idea that taking an active role using technologies as tools to network will further develop my understanding of my professional practice. Furthermore, will continue to do so in the future. I now understand the need for appropriate networks, networking successfully is imperative for developing my knowledge and skills.
References:
The Networked Professional Course Reader, 2010
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Evolution_of_Cooperation
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