Online Learning Community
An online learning community is a public or private destination on the Internet that addresses its members' learning needs by facilitating peer-to-peer learning. Through social networking and computer-mediated communication, or the use of datagogies while people work as a community to achieve a shared learning objective.[1] The community owner may propose learning objectives or may arise out of discussions between participants that reflect personal interests.
Process[edit]
In an online learning community, people share knowledge via textual discussion (synchronous or asynchronous), audio, video, or other Internet-supported media. Blogs blend personal journaling with social networking to create environments with opportunities for reflection. According to Etienne Wenger, online learning communities are environments conducive to communities of practice.[2]
Categories[edit]
Types of online learning communities include e-learning communities (groups interact and connect solely via technology) and blended learning communities (groups utilize face-to-face meetings as well as online meetings). Based on Riel and Polin (2004), intentional online learning communities may be categorized as knowledge-based, practice-based, and task-based. Online learning communities may focus on personal aspects, processes, or technology.[3]
Technology[edit]
The communities may use technology and tools in many the following ways:
- blogs[4]
- social learning
- social networking
- online universities
- course management
- collaborative (such as wikis)
- skills and language exchange platforms
- asynchronous (such as message boards and Internet forums)
- synchronous (such as instant messaging or language exchange websites)
