Community in Online Facilitation

Theory Exercise...

Burbules (2000) posits "There is nothing 'innate' or 'essential' about a 'face-to-face' community compared to an 'online' community; both are as 'real' as any communities are" (Burbules, 2000).

For this exercise we would like you to consider to what extent you might agree, or disagree, with this statement, and your reason(s) why. You should draw from the recommended and/or other resources together with your own experience. Feel free to comment or expand on other posts and try to keep your answer(s) to under 350 words.

Recommended Resources

Charalambos, V., Michalinos, Z., & Chamberlain, R. (2004). The design of online learning communities: Critical issues. Educational Media International, 4(2), 135-143. Retrieved January 8, 2011.

Falvo, D. A., & Solloway, S. (2004). Constructing community in a graduate course about teaching with technology. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning 48(5), 56-64, 83. Retrieved January 8, 2011.

References

Burbules, N (2000) Does the Internet constitute a global educational community? In Burbules, N and Torres, CA (eds) Globalization and  Education: Critical Perspectives, New York, Routledge, pp. 323-355.

[intro] [theory] [reflection] [resources] [goodbye]