
THE NEXT TOP (LEARNING) MODEL: CONNECTIVISM
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Where Does Learning Live in 2025? Hint: Not Just in People’s Heads
You’ve probably heard the phrase “lifelong learning.” But in today’s hyper-connected world, there’s an added element to the phrase. It’s now lifelong networked learning.
That’s the idea behind Connectivism: a learning theory for the digital age. One where knowledge doesn’t just sit inside our brains, but across devices, platforms, Slack threads, AI tools, and WhatsApp groups.
It’s messy. It’s distributed. And it’s powerful.

What Is Connectivism?
Coined by George Siemens and Stephen Downes in the early 2000s, Connectivism is a learning theory built for the digital era. It recognises that:
Learning happens across networks - social, digital, neural.
Connections matter more than content alone.
Knowledge is fluid, constantly evolving, and can live outside the individual in a shared doc, a chatbot, or a peer conversation.
The key skill isn’t remembering. It’s knowing where to look and how to evaluate what you find.
In a nutshell: “I learn by connecting. I grow by navigating those connections.”
Why It Matters: Because L&D Can’t Happen in a Bubble
Traditional learning models rely on top-down, structured content delivery. But real-world learning happens:
in Teams chats;
in peer support channels;
through AI tools; and
on YouTube, Reddit, and internal forums.
Connectivism is important because it:
Reflects how people actually learn at work today.
Encourages continuous learning.
Leverages the tools your people already use.
Builds information literacy, which is critical in an era of information overload.
Drives innovation by connecting people to ideas, fast.
For organisations, embracing Connectivism means unlocking a culture of learning that goes beyond formal training and fuels real-time performance improvement.
How to Use Connectivism in Your L&D Strategy
It’s not about ditching structure. It’s about weaving flexibility, connection, and real-world learning into everything you do.
Here’s how:
Foster Networks
Create digital spaces where learners can connect, ask questions, and share knowledge. Examples include forums, Slack channels, knowledge-sharing hubs.
Encourage Peer Learning
Build communities of practice, mentorship programmes, and social learning opportunities into your workflows.
Teach Navigation Skills
Help employees develop digital literacy: evaluating sources, filtering information, and using AI or knowledge bases effectively.
Embrace Informal Learning
Recognise learning that happens outside formal content. Examples include spotlighting employee blogs, internal case studies, or crowdsourced guides.
Update Content Dynamically
Make learning a living resource, not a static course. Use tools that allow for regular updates and contributions from your network.
How Popcorn Builds Connective Learning Ecosystems
At Popcorn Learning Agency, we build learning environments that go far beyond the course.
Here’s how we support Connectivism in action:
Instructional design services that prioritise peer interaction, curation, and real-world relevance.
Blended learning solutions with collaborative tasks, discussion points, and shared resource libraries.
Digital learning solutions that integrate social elements and promote ongoing connection.
Interactive eLearning with branching paths, prompts for peer engagement, and post-learning collaboration tools.
Impact evaluation that tracks not just completion, but participation in the learning network.
With custom eLearning content that fits into how your people already learn, we help you embed learning in the flow of work and in the fabric of your culture.
Final Thoughts: Learning Is No Longer Solo. It’s Social.
Connectivism reminds us that the best learning isn’t isolated. It’s shared. It’s networked. It’s alive.
And if your learning strategy taps into that energy, you’re empowering your people to learn, adapt and lead in a world that won’t slow down.
Want to turn your L&D programme into a learning ecosystem? Let Popcorn help you harness the power of Connectivism in your next digital learning project. Or follow us on LinkedIn for more from Popcorn’s Next Top (Learning) Model.