Online Community Building Research Articles

‘Sharing my stories’: genealogists and participatory heritage

ABSTRACTThe vision of an online participatory culture involving communities contributing information and engaging with digitized collections via the social Web has been challenged by the reality of low response rates to many digital cultural heritage projects. This study examines factors that encourage or discourage genealogists, a group generally motivated to share and exchange information, to contribute to DCH projects. The aim is to determine how they prefer to share information and knowledge and investigate if genealogists from indigenous communities have different preferences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six members of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists. The interview data were used to inform the design of an online survey questionnaire, which was distributed to other members of NZSG. The findings showed that respondents were willing to share information and were motivated to establish reciprocal relationships fundamental to building online communities. Lack of knowledge about cultural heritage databases and concerns over ownership, control and the reuse of information however, were identified as factors that discouraged sharing, especially for researchers of Māori genealogy. The survey findings suggest that cultural heritage institutions (CHIs) need to nurture relationships and earn the trust of the community from which information is being solicited. Effective consultation and communication and having clear policies in place about use and reuse of information shared could facilitate these. Further research into encouraging the exchange of information between CHIs and the indigenous communities is particularly important as many remain conflicted between their desire to share and to protect their family history and knowledge.

Computer Assisted Language Learning Social Networks: What Are They Talking about?

There are many reasons that motivate people to build online communities. The purpose of this study was to identify the topics that learners discuss when they are part of a computer assisted language learning course in order to answer the question “What are they talking about?”. We have examined an e-community of 618 students who were learning the Modern Greek language online. We analyzed their conversation topics directly from the discussion boards of the web-based course and sorted them into the pre-defined topic categories. The results of the study showed that during the first lessons of the course the students contributed more to social discussions which were unrelated to the course material. The reason of this outcome is that the students want to introduce themselves and meet their peers. As they progressed through the course’s lessons, however, their discussion topics became more course material related. The study ends with implications of the results and future research directions.

Community building among deaf and hard of hearing people by using written language on social networking sites

Since D/deaf and hard-of-hearing users of social networking sites (SNSs) may have communication specificities in comparison to hearing people, we proposed a model for understanding what factors affect building online communities. The model includes written language skills, the frequency of written communication, online Deaf and hearing identity, and the tendency for community building. One-hundred-and-sixty-two German D/deaf and hard-of-hearing users completed an online questionnaire in German sign and written language. Evaluation of the model with structural equation modelling revealed three main findings. Firstly, identification with the hearing online world has a positive effect on written language skills, the frequency of written communication on SNSs and indirectly on the tendency to build online communities. Secondly, the frequency of written communication has a positive effect on the tendency to build community. Thirdly, a positive effect of online Deaf identity on the frequency of written communication was found. Our findings may aid in understanding that, despite possible technological constraints, both D/deaf and hard-of-hearing people communicate on SNSs in written language more frequently due to their identification either with the Deaf or hearing online world which results in an increased tendency to build online communities.

A Spanish-Finnish Telecollaboration to Develop Intercultural Competence and Learner Autonomy

Telecollaboration enables students from different geographical locations to interact in a more authentic environment, share their views with their partners, create profiles as well as build online communities enjoying common interests. With this in mind, a Spanish-Finnish task-based project was designed to examine how students perceived their cultural exchange via Facebook and the extent to which such online interactions assisted them in becoming autonomous learners. Nineteen Spanish and seventeen Finnish participants were provided with the opportunity to interact with each other outside the classroom with a view to exploring the target culture and, consequently, experiencing intercultural learning. The findings suggest that the learning experience was positive and that the participants felt motivated to examine each other's cultural traits and manage their own learning tasks. Sharing information and reciprocally exchanging views on comments are paramount in developing skills to become independent learners.

Beyond the Wall: Mapping Twitter in China

In this paper, we map and analyze the structure and content found on Twitter centered around users in mainland China. This study offers a rare look at the activity of Chinese Internet users on a platform that is largely unregulated by the state and only reachable through the use of tools that circumvent state-mandated Internet filters. For Internet users that reside in mainland China, Twitter offers access to news from around the world and a wealth of ideas and perspectives that might otherwise be unavailable there, as well as a platform for building online communities that is not under direct control of the government. This study of Chinese Twitter — to our knowledge the first such study — offers a unique window into the online activities and global connections of Chinese Internet users who actively circumvent content restrictions. Based on a mixed-methods approach, combining social network analysis and a qualitative review of the content and activity of Chinese Twitter, we are able to map and provide detailed accounts of the topically based clusters that form among these networks. We identify 36 clusters that focus primarily on three areas: politics, technology, and entertainment. From one perspective, the discourse in the politically engaged portions of Chinese Twitter suggests that Twitter serves an alternative public sphere. The political group is formed of journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, and scholars, who are free to discuss topics typically not permitted in China, such as the Tiananmen Square protests, Tibetan and Uyghur issues, political scandals, and pollution. Yet China’s Internet repression is clearly succeeding. Chinese Twitter falls well short of supporting a broadly accessible networked public sphere. The proportion of the Chinese populace with direct access to the debates, communities, and shared resources on Twitter is relatively small, and the avenues by which such discourse might find its way into mainstream political discussion are severely constrained. The firewall between Twitter and the much larger social media platforms in China remains a formidable barrier.

How to be heard on microblogs? Nonprofit organizations' follower networks and post features for information diffusion in China

ABSTRACTThis study tackles the gap in public relations research on what drives users of microblogs in China to follow nonprofit organization (NPO) accounts and share (retweet) their posts, from a multidimensional perspective of the NPO, the microblog audience, and the post features. Using a content analysis of Sina Weibo data of 95 NPO accounts, results suggested that an NPO's status on Weibo is a significant predictor of its follower number. Follower numbers and activeness directly affected the NPO's number of retweets. Informative posts and posts that fulfill multiple gratifications were found to be more sharable than other post types. In addition, a post's originality, media richness, inclusion of opinion leaders, and endorsement by influential users all contributed to its level of circulation. This knowledge is essential for NPOs to spread information and build online communities that facilitate dialogic engagement and quality organization–public relationships with their stakeholders on social media in China's context.

Supporting Child Welfare Traineeship Students through an Online Peer Network

This article describes the implementation of a peer network for social work traineeship students pursuing or continuing careers in child welfare. Literature on the best principles and practices for online community building reviewed and an explanation of how these best practices were utilized to build the online community is provided. Initial program design is described as well as program developments that occurred over four years of the program. The article then examines how the program’s evaluation was carried out and reviews some of the evaluation data. The article concludes with a discussion about the successes and challenges experienced in building the peer network and how other social work or traineeship programs, or agencies, might use an online peer network to support social work students and professionals.

Just Another Aspie/NT Love Story: A Narrative Inquiry Into Neurologically-Mixed Romantic Relationships

This paper explores the complexities, issues, and challenges of neurologically mixed romantic relationships; specifically focusing on relationships in which one partner is diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. Using a narrative approach to data drawn from online discussion boards, blogs, autobiographies, and research articles, the findings are presented in the form of a narrative reconstruction. Reconstructing data into a fictional, non-traceable format is a fruitful method of attending to the ethical and privacy issues inherent in online research. Starting with a discussion of autism and Asperger’s communication and traits, identity politics, and online community building, this article articulates some of the ways that neurological differences result in real differences in emotional needs, sensory perceptions, and ways of thinking and communicating in romantic relationships.

Managing Urban Wellbeing in Rural Areas: The Potential Role of Online Communities to Improve the Financing and Governance of Highly Valued Nature Areas

The urban and the rural are increasingly interconnected. Rural areas have become places of consumption, as leisure and recreation have become important functions of rural areas. There are also indications that increased urbanisation even leads to a stronger appreciation of green areas situated far beyond city limits. Rural areas with their highly valued natural amenities nowadays seem increasingly to host urban wellbeing, given the positive relation found between green areas and human wellbeing. We provide empirical evidence for this urban–rural interconnection, using results from a survey in the Netherlands. In addition to their attachment to local and regional green places, survey results show that residents of the capital city of Amsterdam have a high appreciation of a wide range of natural, rural places throughout the country. We argue that these (until now invisible) urban–rural ties should be made more visible because these natural areas enjoyed by urban residents can no longer be taken for granted. Financial and other support for nature conservation are therefore needed. However, to organise support for nature can often be problematic because nature is a public good and collective action is often difficult to launch. The invisible and distant ties of urban dwellers for rural areas complicate the task even more. Nevertheless, it is increasingly recognised that the Internet opens many doors for community building and may help to overcome the “illogic” of collective action. In the research project “Sympathy for the Commons”, we aim to investigate the possibilities provided by the internet by building online communities around nature areas and enquiring into the available support and funding that these communities can provide.

Share Your Voice: Online Community Building During Reaffirmation of Accreditation

<p>Generic University recently underwent a successful reaffirmation of accreditation process with The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. As part of the 3-year process, a committee, named the Education and Communication working group, was formed to inform and engage with the entire Generic community. This report describes the process and strategies this working group employed to achieve those goals in a distance learning environment.</p> <p>The primary charges of the Education and Communication working group were to (1) educate stakeholders about the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the importance of accreditation, and their role in the accreditation process; (2) provide consistent and quality communication to ensure stakeholders are appropriately informed about HLC and the self-study process; and (3) create and execute an appropriate and supportive communication and education plan during the HLC self-study process. The Education and Communication working group primarily focused on internal stakeholders, including students, faculty, and staff. Additional outreach specifically addressed associated individuals, such as alumni and field site supervisors. Other institutions may define their constituencies differently but will find that the goals, plans, and strategies described here will help them to achieve involvement by their stakeholders in accreditation processes.</p>

Coding Freedom: The Ethics and Aesthetics of Hacking, by E. Gabriella Coleman

This text is primarily written with the sociologist or historian on technology/communication in mind. The core idea is that coding can be a speech activity and that hacking is a cultural phenomenon. It should be noted at this point that hacker in this text is used as a non-perjorative term, for those who found and participate in coding communities (the FOSS movement is the key topic of this text). However, from a legal context this text is a useful resource for those who wish to understand how a cultural critique of intellectual property could arise from cultural perspective. Not withstanding the title, those seeking direct information on radicalized hacker/cracker groups such as ‘Anonymous’ will be disappointed. This text does not look at this kind of movement their motivations or methodologies. This is a work devoted to those who have skill and take joy in the craft and art of hacking as a constructive rather than destructive technology. Nevertheless, although not one of the explicit aims of the book, an improved understanding of the ideas around free speech and cultural expression at the mainstream end of hacker culture can act as an insight for regulators who wish to explore and manage radicalized hackerdom. Although there is no clear line of progression between the kind of coding culture explored in this text and the activities of groups such as Anonymous, there are intellectual common causes between the two. More importantly, they can help us understand the tensions inherent between the need to build online communities and cultures and the need to protect existing media producers and offline interests. As Colemen points out: In the end, it is worth taking a cue from the world of free software in two regards. It is a domain where developers balance forms of sociality and forces often treated as mutually exclusive: individuals and social cooperation, utility and artistry, altruism and self-interest, organisation and disorganization, populism and elitism, and especially individualism and social cooperation … Second, what makes these projects so interesting is not how they engender democracy writ large, or fundamentally change the warp and woof of economic and social structures, but that collaborators make technology at the same time that they experiment in the making of a social commonwealth; it is there where the hard work of freedom is practiced. (page 210)

A domain model for online community building and collaboration in eGovernment and policy modelling

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a domain model for online community building and collaboration in e‐government and policy modelling.Design/methodology/approachThe authors followed a structured approach including five distinct steps: define the domain to be investigated; collect domain knowledge from both existing online community building and collaboration platforms and domain experts; analyse the gathered knowledge; develop and evaluate the domain model.FindingsA domain model was developed for community building and collaboration in eGovernment and policy modelling, including the domain definition, the domain lexicon and the conceptual models modelling its basic entities and functions of the domain. In particular, the UML class diagram was used for modelling the domain entities and the UML use cases diagram for modelling the domain functions.Originality/valueA literature search revealed a lack of domain models for online community building and collaboration, not only in e‐government and policy modelling but also in general. The proposed model provides a better understanding of the domain. It can also be used in the development of relevant platforms, leading to the reduction of software development costs and delivery time, as well as the improvement of software quality and reliability, by minimising domain analysis errors.

Situated Learning with Online Portfolios, Classroom Websites and Facebook

In this article we describe the evolution of an elective course designed specifically for undergraduate students in our pre-service teacher education program. This course is intended to prepare these undergraduate students as future teachers—helping them to make effective and creative uses of technology in learning settings. This course emphasizes learning to learn with and about technology, in the ever-changing context of educational technology. Generally speaking, we outline and describe three key goals of teaching young teachers to thoughtfully integrate technology into a real-world classroom. First, the course emphasizes learning to explore and learn proactively by engaging in learning by design activities. Second, students are given an opportunity to try a wide variety of innovative technologies through explorations of their own choosing. Finally, we attempt to leverage the power of online community building for learning by harnessing the ubiquity and convenience of tools like Facebook. We look into the future with great hope and enthusiasm that our preservice teachers will lead the way in integrating new technologies into their teaching in ways that will benefit their students, colleagues, and the greater education community.

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra: Building an Online Community

This paper studies the effectiveness of the social media deployment by the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO). It provides an overview of current practices, and suggests a strategy that could substantially improve the reach of the HPO social media activities. The framework for this paper is an application of the online community building paradigms – as presented in Jono Bacon’s “Art of Community” – to the needs of the HPO. The author believes that the HPO is of tremendous value to the Hamilton community, and that its communication strategy specifically its social media activities can be strengthened by a seven step strategic plan. The plan includes among other techniques, defining more clearly its audience, merging traditional and social media into one content flow, and synergizing with similar organizations.

Going beyond access: On-line education in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands

This paper discusses several approaches to Web-based learning, on-line learning and IT instruction that have been implemented at the University of Hawaii, including studio-based learning, techniques for implementing critical evaluation skills when utilizing on-line sources, virtual museum use, the use of metacognitive prompts in on-line instruction and outreach to other Pacific Island communities. The paper also addresses aspects of ICT and on-line instruction and community building in multicultural settings that represent some of the most geographically isolated regions on the planet, with socioeconomic disparities spanning the digital divide. This paper shows how technology can be used to promote higher order thinking, metacognition and critical evaluation skills that encourage students to use ICT in more discriminatory and evaluative ways. The paper also shows that using virtual museums for sharing cultural knowledge and using metacognitive prompts for critical analyses are other ways of enriching knowledge through the use of the Internet. Furthermore, technology can be used for communicating with different populations regardless of income or ethnicity, and the Internet can improve access to higher education for rural populations that would not consider university access a possibility without being provided with the support that technology can give.

Quality schooling in the Network Society: a community approach through the everyday use of the internet

Beginning with a discussion of the latest findings in the information and communication technologies (ICT) and educational improvement field, this article develops a comprehensive strategy to analyse online community building. Far from offering a utopian or dystopian vision, we study the contribution of ICT appropriation as a tool for collaboration, participation, and co-responsibility in the everyday functioning of classrooms and schools. To do so, we examine and discuss school policies, expectations, and the current rate of internet use among administrators, teachers, and students from a representative sample of 350 schools in Catalonia (Spain). Our results show a sparsely connected education system, in which the integration of ICT does not appear to trigger a substantial revolution in established schooling practices. Our concluding statements defend the importance of ICT in education as the ultimate means of interaction that may enable community building to improve the processes of managing, teaching, and being educated in the Network Society.

Positive and negative aspects of online community cultivation: Implications for online stores’ relationship management

We investigated how online community building might affect the development of relationships with customers of online stores. Adopting social identification and relationship marketing perspectives, we examined the positive and negative aspects of online community cultivation and tested the meditating mechanisms involved in member participation processes. A survey-based study, conducted with 913 online consumers, revealed that community interaction can lead to consumer power through community identification and relationship investments. Furthermore, we found that perceived e-tailer support negatively affected the relationship between identification and consumer power. We concluded with a discussion of the key managerial and research implications of our findings.

New Literacies and Multimediacy: The Immersive Universe of The 39 Clues

The 39 Clues (2009) is a multimedia series produced by Scholastic for readers 7–14 years old that includes printed texts released periodically; trading cards also published periodically in print and virtually; and a complex, intriguing, and entertaining website. To fully experience the multimedia series, the publishers expect that readers can read printed text, negotiate the website that blurs the boundaries between history and fiction, author, character, and reader, compete for prizes, and build online communities. The more able a reader is to use multiple media sources for her own purposes, the more likely she is to reach the end goal of solving the central mystery of the series and win cash prizes. We found that The 39 Clues is a unique instantiation of new literacies (e.g. Knobel and Lankshear, A New Literacies Sampler, 2007) in action.

Consumer language, patient language, and thesauri: a review of the literature.

Online social networking sites are web services in which users create public or semipublic profiles and connect to build online communities, finding like-minded people through self-labeled personal attributes including ethnicity, leisure interests, political beliefs, and, increasingly, health status. Thirty-nine percent of patients in the United States identified themselves as users of social networks in a recent survey. "Tags," user-generated descriptors functioning as labels for user-generated content, are increasingly important to social networking, and the language used by patients is thus becoming important for knowledge representation in these systems. However, patient language poses considerable challenges for health communication and networking. How have information systems traditionally incorporated these languages in their controlled vocabularies and thesauri? How do system builders know what consumers and patients say? This comprehensive review of the literature of health care (PubMed MEDLINE, CINAHL), library science, and information science (Library and Information Science and Technology Abstracts, Library and Information Science Abstracts, and Library Literature) examines the research domains in which consumer and patient language has been explored. Consumer contributions to controlled vocabulary appear to be seriously under-researched inside and outside of health care. The author reflects on the implications of these findings for online social networks devoted to patients and the patient experience.

The effects of trust, security and privacy in social networking: A security-based approach to understand the pattern of adoption

Social network services (SNS) focus on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. This study examines security, trust, and privacy concerns with regard to social networking Websites among consumers using both reliable scales and measures. It proposes an SNS acceptance model by integrating cognitive as well as affective attitudes as primary influencing factors, which are driven by underlying beliefs, perceived security, perceived privacy, trust, attitude, and intention. Results from a survey of SNS users validate that the proposed theoretical model explains and predicts user acceptance of SNS substantially well. The model shows excellent measurement properties and establishes perceived privacy and perceived security of SNS as distinct constructs. The finding also reveals that perceived security moderates the effect of perceived privacy on trust. Based on the results of this study, practical implications for marketing strategies in SNS markets and theoretical implications are recommended accordingly.