The virtual classroom: learning without limits via computer networks
The virtual classroom: learning without limits via computer networks
Work, friendship, and media use for information exchange in a networked organization
Journal of the American Society for Information Science
Lurker demographics: counting the silent
Proceedings of the SIGCHI conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Online Communities: Designing Usability and Supporting Socialbilty
Online Communities: Designing Usability and Supporting Socialbilty
A life-cycle perspective on online community success
ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR)
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An important aspect of online learning community development is to evaluate whether or not a particular online learning community is successful. This paper presents preliminary findings in developing and evaluating an online learning community using Preece's framework for designing and evaluating the success of online communities. The community consisted of CSIRO staff interested in what constitutes values in water use in Australia and how to account for such values. About 400 staff participated in the discussion, that was limited to two weeks. Daily observations of the content and participation were made, and participants were surveyed after the discussion had closed. A total of about 17,000 words of discussion data have been analyzed using purpose-built software. Initial findings using Preece's criteria indicate that the online learning community was successful from a sociability perspective. We found that the number of participants was higher than expected, the volume of emails was high, participants referred to each other quite regularly, the discussion stayed on topic most of the time, the participants saw value in the discussion (even the lurkers), and participants were satisfied with the social interaction within the community.