Sunday, February 22, 2009
Is Face to Face Necessary?
In order to build a community in online learning environments is it necessary to have some face to face interaction? Can you really create a "social atmosphere" online in a virtual world? There are some that would say "NO" you have to have some face to face interaction for this to happen...So do you agree? What have you experienced?
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With web conferencing, I have found f2f meetings to be not as necessary. However, with totally asynchronous learning, it takes a skilled facilitator to create a learning community.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the previous commenter; an engaged facilitator is essential for a virtual learning community to thrive. It's a two-year-old article (ancient by e-learning standards), but you might look at "Building Virtual Communities" by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach at www.techlearning.com. (Sorry, it wouldn't let me post the URL?!) She offers some helpful guidelines for what she calls the “community organizer.”
ReplyDeleteJeff, we have never met face-to-face, but I recall learning a lot from you while completing online coursework at UT-Knoxville during the summer of 2007. Certainly our instructor deserves some credit for that, but students must also exhibit certain traits or habits of learning for the learning community to flourish.
Based on my experience, here is some advice to students who want to get the most from an asynchronous e-learning environment: if possible, maintain an updated member profile with as much biographical information as you are willing to share with others in the community; always, always, always upload a thumbnail photo of yourself (or use an avatar) to help cultivate your online identity; if RSS is available, use it so you can track and respond to others' comments and posts in a timely fashion; and, last but not least, produce and share without fear!!
Off topic, but interesting. Have you seen the comments by Greenfield (UK) about Facebook and other social networking sites "infantalizing the human mind?"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/feb/24/social-networking-site-changing-childrens-brains
In my experience with distance learning, face-to-face visits are not always an option...should this reduce the effectiveness of the program? Definitely not. For me this is the reason why all distance education programs need a "synchronous" component, as this environment provides the elements traditional F2F offers with the exception of touch. Fostering a safe secure learning environment means that students and teachers can share their worlds with each other without the need to physically visit. With this in mind, a F2F visit can sometimes give the teacher an insight into the student or their learning environment which may be hidden behind the anonimity of the computer.
ReplyDeleteI am a staunch advocate that online learning is not the poor relative to face-to-face learning...it is a different option.
In my admittedly limited experience: no, f2f is not necessary but helps - not always an option. Synchronicity helps too but is not an absolute either. Building an online community takes time and effort. I have doubts about the efficacy of building strong, authentic communities for short term groups.
ReplyDeleteI have been "online" for years, having participated in online conferences, Moodle-based interaction, a "social/professional" group, and two political discussion sites since 2003. I have long been an advocate for f2f as a meaningful complement (but not a necessity) to the construction of community. I met a fellow online, then met him f2f in Montreal where the interaction about simulation gaming exploded and leant me deep understanding of a key concept: the only real value and meaning of an online interaction comes from when you push the chair back and 'close the window' and turn to real life. I am a member at learningtimes and used to be a member of the task force on creating online community. I can be e-mailed at kickinandtickin [at] gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteIf we mean "being physically in the same place seeing somebody face-to-face, etc." by f2f interaction, then I think it is not necessary.However, I do believe that it is necessary to be able to see and talk with people in the online group to build a sense of community. I think people still do not prefer to build ties and bonds with somebody that they have never seen before. It is still very difficult for people to feel attached to virtual identities. That's why, I feel that there should at least be photo-sharing among people and more than that syncronous communication.
ReplyDeleteOnline learningpromotes good learning.Teachers and students take part and share ideas.Face to face contact is necessary to get good ideas.A wonderful website provides surplus information on online learning.
ReplyDelete