Title
Community in Online Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-2017
Journal
The Electronic Journal of e-Learning
Volume Number
15
Issue Number
2
Page Numbers
188-198
ISSN
1479-4403
ANZSRC / FoR Code
130103 Higher Education| 130306 Educational Technology and Computing| 130313 Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators| 2099 OTHER LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE
Reportable Items (HERDC/ERA)
C1
Abstract
Exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with the concepts of community and communication in online higher education, this paper reconsiders the intention to replicate face-to-face learning and teaching strategies in online learning environments. Rather than beginning with the assumption that face-to-face education is the prototype for quality, the authors appraise the online learning environment as a unique medium which, by its nature, necessitates unique communication, community-building, teaching and learning strategies. This paper proposes an in-depth analysis of the potential unique affordances associated with online learning contexts as existing in their own right. The concepts of community and communication are explored in relation to online Communities of Practice (CoPs). The nature of face-to-face and online learning contexts are considered, especially in the light of the possibility of redefining “face-to-face” within the online realm, in addition to physical learning contexts. The paper identifies unique ways in which online communication (in the context of learning) is different from face-to-face communication, and consequently four ways in which this can be an advantage for students; namely, there is a measure of social egalitarianism, emphasis on verbal/written proficiency, time for reasoned response, and social agency. The paper provides grounding for further research into strategies that forge rich online learning experiences and suggests an empirical study as a next step.
Peer Review
Before publication
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Arasaratnam-Smith, L. & Northcote, M. (2017). Community in online higher education: Challenges and opportunities. The Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 15(2), 188-198. Retrieved from http://ejel.org/
Comments
Used by permission: Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited and the authors.
© 2017 Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited (ACPIL).