An Online Community Site that Incorporates the use of Social Networks Software: A Case of an Open University in Thailand

Abstract

In the digital period, a large part of our daily activities revolves around social networks software. Social networks software, such as Facebook and Twitter, have brought new opportunities for users to create online communities, share content and opinions on the online platforms. Today’s colleges and universities have also employed the power of social media to increase students’ interaction and engagement. This is particularly useful for online or distance learners, where face-to-face communication is limited. This paper aims to determine requirements for an online community site that incorporates the use of social networks software. The requirements were gathered from stakeholders at an open university in Thailand. The study proposes the desired characteristics and functional requirements of an online community site in a distance learning context.