Online and Social Networking Communities: A Best Practice Guide for Educators

by Kear; Karen

• ISBN13: 9780415872478
• ISBN10: 0415872472
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2010-11-08
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Online and Social Networking Communities is a professional guide written for educational practitioners and trainers who wish to use online communication tools effectively in their teaching. Focusing on the student experience of learning in online communities, it addresses 'web 2.0' and other 'social software' tools and considers the role these technologies play in supporting student learning and building learning communities.The guide offers: real-world case studies and quality research must-have lists of useful resources guidance on building and supporting online learning communities discussion of how collaborative learning can be assessed coverage of wikis, forums, blogging, instant messaging, Second Life, Twitter, desktop videoconferencing and social networking sites such as Facebook.Online and Social Networking Communities helps educators and trainers develop a critical approach by exploring online learning from both the student's and educator's perspective. This practical guide provides the tools to help develop confident and thoughtful online educators, able to create successful and enjoyable learning experiences for their students.

Author Biography

Karen Kear is a Senior Lecturer in the Communication and Systems Department, Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology, The Open University, UK.

Table of Contents

List of Figures	p. xiii
List of Tables	p. xv
List of Case Studies	p. xvii
Series Editor's Foreword	p. xix
Acknowledgements	p. xxi
Introduction	p. 1
Learning in Social Networks	p. 1
Collaborative Learning Online	p. 2
Concepts of Community	p. 3
Tools for Online Communities	p. 4
Terminology	p. 5
Overview of the Book	p. 6
Theories of Learning in Online Communities	p. 9
Theories of Learning	p. 9
Situated and Authentic Learning	p. 12
Case Study - Canadian Border Crossing in a Virtual World: A Simulation in Second Life	p. 13
Communities of Practice	p. 17
Social Aspects of Online Learning Communities	p. 17
The Community of Inquiry Framework	p. 19
Case Study - Hope This Helps: Peer Learning Using Discussion Forums	p. 22
Laurillard's Conversational Framework	p. 24
Salmon's Five-Stage Model	p. 25
Summary	p. 26
Key Points for Practitioners	p. 27
Further Reading	p. 27
Tools for Online Learning Communities	p. 29
Categorizing Communication Tools	p. 30
Asynchronous Communication Tools	p. 31
Case Study - Ekademia: A Learning Environment Using Elgg Social Software	p. 38
Synchronous Communication Tools	p. 42
Students' Views of Online Communication Tools	p. 45
Case Study - Pedagogical Discourse: Tools for Promoting Learning and Participation in an Online Discussion Forum	p. 48
Choosing and Using Tools for Online Communities	p. 52
Key Points for practitioners	p. 52
Further Reading	p. 53
Benefits and Problems of Online Learning Communities	p. 55
Benefits of Online Learning Communities	p. 55
Case Study - Blogging to Build Community Among Pre-Service Teachers	p. 60
Problems of Online Learning Communities	p. 62
Case Study - Online Discussion and Community: Barriers to Participation	p. 67
Increasing the Benefits and Reducing the Problems	p. 71
Summary	p. 76
Key Points for Practitioners	p. 76
Further Reading	p. 76
Too Much Information	p. 77
Research on Information Overload	p. 78
Overload in Forums: Students' and Teachers' Views	p. 79
Following the Thread	p. 81
Recommending and Rating	p. 86
Filtering	p. 87
Bookmarking	p. 87
Case Study - Sorting the Wheat from the Chaff: New Features for Discussion Forums	p. 88
Using Information on the Web	p. 91
Social Bookmarking and Tagging	p. 93
Case Study - Sharing with the Shabab	p. 95
The Collective	p. 98
Key Points for Practitioners	p. 99
Further Reading	p. 100
Feeling Connected	p. 101
Research on Social Aspects of Online Learning	p. 101
Students' Views on Online Community	p. 104
Case Study - Sharing Images, Creating Communities	p. 105
Encouraging Community Online	p. 108
Member Profiles	p. 113
Social Network Sites for Learning Communities	p. 116
Case Study - Using Twitter to Build Peer Communities	p. 118
Key Points for Practitioners	p. 121
Further Reading	p. 121
In Real Time	p. 123
Synchronous Chat	p. 124
Instant Messaging	p. 125
Students' Views on Instant Messaging	p. 127
Case Study - Real-Time Communication in a Mathematics Online Learning Community	p. 129
Audio- and Videoconferencing	p. 131
Case Study - Synchronous Conferencing for Language Learning	p. 137
Virtual Worlds	p. 140
Key Points for Practitioners	p. 143
Further Reading	p. 143
Assessment for Learning in Online Communities	p. 145
Assessment for Learning	p. 145
Assessment and Feedback	p. 147
Computer-assisted Assessment	p. 147
Peer Assessment and Review	p. 149
Self-assessment	p. 150
E-portfolios for Reflection and Feedback	p. 151
Case Study - Peer Assessment Via E-Portfolios: The Issue of Anonymity	p. 152
Collaboration and Participation	p. 155
Online Group Projects	p. 158
Case Study - Using Forums and Wikis for a Group Project	p. 162
Collusion and Plagiarism	p. 165
Key Points for Practitioners	p. 166
Further Reading	p. 166
Supporting Online Learning Communities	p. 167
The Changing Role of the Teacher	p. 167
The Learners	p. 168
The Course Topic	p. 171
The Available Technologies	p. 173
Three Short VLE Case Studies	p. 174
Case Study - Using Online Communication to Support Young Learners of English	p. 176
The Teacher	p. 179
Teachers' Views and Experiences	p. 181
Online Learning in a Developing World	p. 185
Case Study - Using Open Educational Resources in a Developing Country	p. 186
References	p. 191
Index	p. 201
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