I liked the thought that Cole wrote in the introduction of the prescribed reading that community was those who have something in common. I don't often think about a virtual community. People look for others with the same interests that create a common bond. In this master's program, it is comforting to know that there are other nursing education majors out there who are going through some of the same experiences I am and it is through those experiences that we can share, relate, and look for guidance. Although I do not know most of them, I feel a special kinship and relationship to them as if they are part of my world.
The "real community" is similar to the "virtual community" in the fact that we choose those with which we have a bond with. One of the differences is the fact that we cannot see the person face to face and therefore may have an inaccurate opinion of them. We may feel more like letting our feelings show when we do not have to physically face the person the next day. The feeling of anonymity allows us to express our true feelings without fear of hurting another person's feelings because we do not have an investment in that person. We feel more free to be outside the boundaries posed on us by society.
Using a virtual community for learning is a wonderful technology. However, if one is not disciplined to take the time to devote to the necessary requirements, they will find they have not learned all they could have learned.
Yet there is much to be learned from using virtual technology. Herein becomes a way that one may experience another's culture and experiences that may not be made available in traditional learning styles.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Deborah, very well put! I strongly agree with you that the growth of a virtual learning community relies on the investment and commitment of every individual member of the community.
ReplyDelete"The feeling of anonymity allows us to express our true feelings without fear of hurting another person's feelings because we do not have an investment in that person. We feel more free to be outside the boundaries posed on us by society."
ReplyDeleteHi, Deborah! I think it is so interesting that we're both thinking about how the anonymity of the internet effects its users. In my case, I wrote a bit about it being a positive, that we can be more true to ourselves. Now that I've read your piece, I'm thinking that this fact brings both advantages and disadvantages, depending on the individual and the subject matter.