A learner is like an ingredient...

A learner is like an ingredient to a recipe. Without all of the "ingredients", meaning input from colleagues and other learners, the final product just will not be quite right.

Learners are social and learn from others. As George Siemens states in his article, Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age, "Within social networks, hubs are well-connected people who are able to foster and maintain knowledge flow. Their interdependence results in effective knowledge flow, enabling the personal understanding of the state of activities organizationally." In his video The Impact of Social Software on Learning, he also states that "Our learning today is one of forming networks with each other...Most of us enjoy conversation, we're social beings...When we have that dialogue, we ourselves grow in our knowledge and in our own understanding of our own ideas...".

I compared the learner to a the ingredient of a recipe, because one person does not know everything that there is to know about a specific topic. Individuals need to discuss and combine their knowledge, to deepen their understanding, clarify misunderstandings, and grow in their own learning. In my opinion, all "ingredients" need to be combined to create the perfect final product.

In a recipe, you can always experiment with various ingredients. The inputs of various individuals can change the outcome, for better or for worse. It is important to experiment, and consult various individuals on specific topics, to find the best outcome and the most relevant information possible.

Social network software such as Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc. all make it easier for people to communicate, to share information, to collaborate, and develop a collective understanding of knowledge.