RSA 4: A Theoretical Framework for Building Online Communities of Practice with Social Networking Tools

RSA 4-

A Theoretical Framework for Building Online Communities of Practice with Social Networking Tools

http://web.ebscohost.com.cucproxy.cuchicago.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=c8779059-15b7-4e77-b0b7-49b6859c2c88%40sessionmgr15&vid=6&hid=10

            During module seven, we focus on how building learning communities through technology support learning and achievement at high levels for a diverse population of learners. In this weeks reading the overall message that I walked away with was best said on page 158 in Building Online Learning Communities: Effective Strategies for the Virtual Classroom, “By learning together in a learning community, students have the opportunity to extend and deepen their learning experience, test out new ideas by sharing them with a supportive group, and receive critical and constructive feedback.” (Palloff & Pratt; 2007). The idea that an online learning community can create all of these different elements is quite amazing. I think it is important for people to begin to understand that, an online learning community, just like a face-to-face learning community thrives on the same principles. In a face-to-face learning community it is important to build guidelines, discussion, feedback, and collaboration. These principles, which are the basis for a successful learning community, are no different in an online learning community.

            The online resource A Theoretical Framework for Building Online Communities of Practice with Social Networking Tools tries to develop a theoretical framework to help us understand learning among groups of individuals that use social networking to work towards a common goal. According to the article, “we define social networking technology as tools that facilitate collective intelligence through social negotiation in a common goal or a share practice.” (Smith, 2004) The article discusses the importance of collaboration between a group of people and how that collaboration in a social networking helps to create a sense of community and responsibility to one another. I found it interesting in the article when they discussed how social networking is blurring the lines between “real world” and virtual world. The virtual world is becoming the real world, it is where people are beginning to feel most comfortable communicating and collaborating with others due to the speed at which they can connect with one another.

            This article supports this weeks reading because both take a look at how the online learning community support groups of people and allow for them to collaborate effectively. According to A Theoretical Framework for Building Online Communities of Practice with Social Networking, “The community is a group of people who learn and interact together, building relationships that result in a feeling of belonging and mutual commitment,” (Wenger, 1998) Both readings discuss the importance of making sure that every person in an online learning community feels that they are valued so that the learning experiences that result from an online learning community are authentic and worthwhile. When an online learning community is set up appropriately participants in that community feel a stronger desire to participate and often connect on a deeper level.

References

Gunawardena, C. N., Hermans, M., Sanchez, D., Richmond, C., Bohley, M., & Tuttle, R.

(2009). A Theoretical Framework for Building Online Communities of Practice

with Social Networking Tools. Educational Media International, 46(1), 3-16.

Palloff, R., & Pratt, K. (2007). Building online learning communities effective strategies

for the virtual classroom. (2 ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.