Connectivism focuses on learning that occurs when individuals interact socially using collaborative
technologies. The connectivist learner produces knowledge through creating and sharing digital artifacts.
According to Siemens (2006, p.90), the key features of a connectivist learning environment are diversity,
autonomy, interactivity and open learning processes. Siemens argues that learners should be empowered to air
their points of view and contribute to the diversity of shared knowledge. They should have the autonomy to
actively seek and engage in the learning situations. The knowledge created should be engendered through
interactive learning sessions in a learning environment that is characterised by its openness to stimulate
discourse. A connectivist learning environment ideally includes a space for interaction between experts and
students, a space for self-expression, debate, dialogue and communication of new information and knowledge
and a space to nurture ideas and test new approaches (Siemens 2006). This learning environment supports and
contributes to informal and lifelong learning (Downes 2005, 2006).