TECHNOLOGY FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE ELEMENTARY GRADES

TOPIC 7: Online Learning Resources

An online community, also called an internet community or web community, is a virtual

community whose members interact with each other primarily via the internet. It is a public or private
destination on the internet that addresses the learning needs of its members by facilitating peer-to-peer
learning. A thorough discussion regarding online communities of learning is presented in this unit.

Online Learning Community

One scholarly definition of an online community is this: “a virtual community is defined as an

aggregation of individuals or business partners who interact around a shared interest, where the
interaction is at least partially supported or mediated by technology (or both), and guided by some
protocols or norms.” (Wikipedia)

For many, online communities may feel like home, consisting of a “family of invisible friends.”
An online community can act as an information system where members can post, comment on
discussions, give advice or collaborate.

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.

Categories

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, process, or technology. They may use technology and tools in many categories:

 Synchronous (such as instant messaging or language exchange websites and mobile

applications
 Asynchronous (such as message boards and internet forums)
 Blogs
 Course management
 Collaborative (such as wikis)
 Social networking
 Social learning
  Online universities
 Skills and language exchange platforms

Development

There is a set of values known as netiquette (or Internet etiquette) to consider as an online
community develops. Some of these values include: opportunity, education, culture, democracy, human
services, equality within the economy, information, sustainability, and communication.

An online community’s purpose is to serve as a common ground for people who share the same
interest/s. Discussions where members may post their feedback are essential in the development of an
online community. Online communities may encourage individuals to come together to teach and learn
from one another. They may encourage learners to discuss and learn about real-world
problems/situations as well as focus on such things as teamwork, collaborative thinking and personal
experiences.

Social Networks

Social networks are platforms allowing users to set up their own profile and build connections
with like minded people who pursue similar interests through interaction. The first traceable example of
such s site is SixDegrees.com set up in 1997 which included a friends list and the ability to send messages
to members linked to friends and see other users associations. For over a decade the popularity of such
networks has been growing with Friendster, the first social network to gain mass media attention.
However, by 2004, it had been overtaken in popularity by Myspace which was later overtaken by
Facebook, by far the most popular social network currently attracting 1.23 billion monthly users in 2013,
a rapid increase from 145 million in 2008. This does appear to show a birth and death cycle with new
social networks rapidly growing and overtaking their predecessors and sending older networks into
decline.

Current trends focus around the increased use of mobile devices when using social networks,
statistics from Statista show in 2013 97.9 million users accessed social networks from a mobile device in
the US with this projected increase to 160.5 million in 2017.

Top 10 Benefits of Online Learning Community (https://www.waldenu.edu/programs/resource/the-top-

10-benefits-of-online-learning-communities)

Once you enroll in an online college or university, you’ll immediately join an online learning
community that will benefit you in a number of unexpected ways. We’ve identified 10 of the top
advantages of online learning communities here.
1. You’ll find it easier to participate.
Online learning communities make it easy to take part in the group. From online discussions
 with classmates to video chatting with faculty, online colleges and universities offer accessible,
enjoyable ways for students to become engaged with their education and learning community.

2. You’ll be more at ease.

Not comfortable speaking in front of others? That’s not a problem in an online learning
community. While there’s no shortage of participation in an online education, you get to
contribute without the need to hone your public speaking skills—and from the comfort of home.

3. You’ll benefit from geography ...

Online learning communities offer the rare opportunity to learn alongside students from around
the globe. As you communicate with online classmates from different countries, you’ll benefit
from both their unique viewpoints and distinct cultural perspectives.

4. … and diversity.
Online learning communities not only give you the opportunity to engage with students from
other countries, you’ll learn alongside students spanning a range of ages, professional
backgrounds, and life experiences—enriching your education in unexpected ways.

5. You’ll enjoy a sense of community.

As you advance in your online education, you’ll see that a sense of connection and community is
truly at the core of online learning communities. Whether you’re taking a single online class or
you’ve enrolled in a complete online degree program, you’ll develop a strong camaraderie with
your fellow students.

6. You’ll brainstorm together.

There’s nothing like the excitement that comes from sharing ideas. Online learning communities
are often tailored for professionals learning new skills and earning degrees that can help
advance their careers. It’s the ideal venue for brainstorming, since you’ll be guided by expert
faculty and your group’s diverse professional experiences.

7. You’ll benefit from technology.

Online colleges and online universities are renowned for employing the latest technology to
help students succeed. From mobile learning apps to online discussion forums, educational
technologies make your online learning community not only more engaging, but more
convenient as well.

8. You’ll get to know your classmates.

Over the course of your online education, you’ll build relationships with classmates and faculty
in new and exciting ways. The ease of communicating online can break down barriers that might
otherwise make it difficult to truly get to know each other. Through regular discussions and
participation, you’ll become surprisingly connected to your online learning community, leading
to loyal friendships and lifelong professional networks.

9. You’ll have time to think.

When it comes to education, online or on campus, there’s nothing like getting a chance to
consider your response before you speak. In online learning communities, you do not need to
 rush to answer a question as you might in a traditional classroom, and you and your classmates
can build on each other’s responses for a more thorough conversation.

10. You’ll find a sense of balance.

Many professionals believe higher education is out of reach due to their work and family
commitments. But online colleges and universities provide a flexible, convenient way to merge
academics—along with your online leaning community—into daily life.

APPLICATION

Tell us about your experience in joining online community through writing. In your output, let us know
what online communities you have joined, your reason of joining, and how this online community help
you in any way.