A community used to be defined by geographic boundaries. Online communities however, may be defined by common interests, goals or activities. Online communities know no geographic boundaries. We are no longer limited to a community of face to face interactions. This is both liberating and isolating.
A virtual learning community combines physical and virtual interaction. In virtual communities range may be extended or tailored at the click of a mouse. In virtual communities interactions with undesired members can be avoided by simply deleting them. There are predators in online communities, benefits and dangers just as there are in real-life communities. Some tasks are easier in the online community. There is no delete and block option for members of a traditional community.
2) The power of a virtual community is illustrated through TIME magazine’s article- YOU the person of the year by showing how every day individuals may contribute to a worldwide community by sharing their thoughts, ideas, reflections and news. The Korean house wife is an example of how an ordinary woman can teach about an entire culture simply by sharing her observations and experiences on life. Facebook has brought the world closer together. It enables family and friends to keep in touch, by chatting, online discussion, photography and video. With the advent of internet access via cell phone, the entire world is virtually at one’s fingertips. Youtube has made overnight sensation out of ordinary individuals and their situations. For example, the guitarist who had his guitar mauled by Delta airlines workers made a splash online by performing a song about his trial. So much so that Delta offered to reimburse him after refusing. He refused as he had made more money on I-tunes. Online opportunities are there for individuals to produce music, literature and video. These opportunities have never been as easily accessible as they are today. Stars are made overnight online.
3) In order to make a virtual learning community work it must be adaptable. The community must be tailored and continually adjusted to meet members’ needs. It is not simply to provide information. Interactive opportunities should be provided. Opportunities to apply knowledge gained and test what is learned should be available. Having a guide/moderator to assist learners in their time of need is also necessary to facilitate the learning process.
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This has been a challenging week for me. I also suffered a computer crash and had technical issues that caused my post to be late. The frustrations of these kind of issues will also present both to students and instructors alike. Sometimes face to face interaction is so much easier. Dealing with my own issues on learning how to prioritize time and tasks now that school is in full swing. I am an online learner myself and prefer online learning. The ability to participate in a class at the most beneficial time for me is incredible. However, challenges in time management will always present with self-directed learning. Some students may still find traditional classroom learning the best option for them even with all the benefits of online learning. There is a certain amount of fear of the technology. Replacing human interaction with machine is the stuff science fiction nightmares are made of. It is important as instructors to not fear the change associated with rapid evolving technology. We should use the technology to enhance interaction. Learning can be greatly improved with the use of effective internet teaching techniques. Utilizing technology can make us greater instructors with a generation of tech savvy students. I am looking forward to learning more ways to utilize and optimize online learning. The benefits are there for the students and for us as instructors. We can teach from home, in our pajamas (if we aren’t on camera). I can grade papers while having my morning coffee. We are no longer inhibited by the four walls of an institution. We are longer restricted to a rigid schedule. The possibilities are endless. I look forward to the future of learning. I am even more excited about the future of instruction. :)
