Online learning communities in the New 'U'. (23rd July 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thoms, Brian; Garrett, Nathan; Ryan, Terry
• Is Part Of: International journal of networking and virtual organisations. Volume 6:Number 5(2009)
• Page Start: 499
• Page End: 517
• Publication Date: 2009-07-23
• Subjects: online learning communities -- OLC -- social networking -- Web 30 -- virtual university -- virtual campus -- web based campus -- online campus -- Elgg -- action design research -- course management systems -- CMS -- USA -- United States -- e-learning -- electronic learning -- online learning; Computer networks -- Periodicals; Information networks -- Periodicals; Virtual corporations -- Periodicals; Electronic commerce -- Periodicals; Management information systems -- Periodicals; Management -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 004.65
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-9503

Abstract

In an academic world largely dominated by instructor-facilitated learning environments (i.e., lecture halls and course management software), our research implements and measures the impact of a student-owned and operated virtual learning environment. Adopting an Action Design research methodology, we look to expand scholarships and build communities within our graduate school setting. More specifically, our research explores the impact of a user-defined Online Learning Community (OLC) on a group of 118 graduate students across 6 doctoral courses. Our findings reflect positively on a number of constructs, including perceived learning, social interaction and community and have provided our university with a proof-of-concept OLC, offering a valid alternative to traditional Course Management Systems (CMS).