What are virtual learning communities?

The Virtual learning communities Are communities of people who share common values ​​and interests, and communicate through the different communication tools offered by telematic networks, whether synchronous or asynchronous.

There are several types of virtual communities, although in this article we will focus on learning because of the impact they have had on education.

Next, we will present the main characteristics that distinguish a physical community from a virtual community:

• Participants participating in virtual communities communicate through new technologies such as mobiles and computers.

• Since this kind of devices are used, it gives them more flexibility over time.

• It is usually generated and built new knowledge, as well as exchange information among community participants.

• They do not have to share values ​​or beliefs but if they do, the virtual community will be healthier.

• Through different types of communication tools, both asynchronous and synchronous, as well as text and audiovisual, there is interaction in this type of communities.

• Finally, a multidirectional type communication is performed.

As we can see, all types of virtual communities will have in common the characteristics mentioned above, what will differentiate them will be their goals or the purpose or goal they want to achieve.

In addition, the people who participate in each one of them have great importance because they must be united by some interest they have in common and participate actively in it.

Types of virtual communities

We can find four different types of virtual communities according to Cabero and Llorente (2010). It is important to make this distinction in order not to confuse them:

• Speech: We can now talk to people who are away from us through the Internet and electronic devices, sharing our interests or any kind of information with them.

• Practice: Creating groups with other people in which each one performs a certain function. As its name implies, communities of practice aim to professionally train and provide students with knowledge so that they can find work.

• Knowledge Building: When the objective is to support the students to pursue a strategy and it is wanted that the learning is a goal. Technology can play an important role in this type of community, since it allows to store, organize and reformulate ideas.

• Learning: A virtual community will be understood as learning when its main objective is that the people who participate in it acquire knowledge, learning, skills and competencies.

In the following points we will focus on this type of virtual community because of the importance it has in the educational field.

Finally, we must also mention the relationship between physical and virtual communities. According to Aoki (1994) quoted in Salinas (2003) there are three groups:

• Those that are almost equal to such an extent that they overlap.

• Virtual communities that partially overlap with those that are physically present.

• Those that have no relationship with physical communities.

What types of virtual learning communities are there?

Depending on the theme to be worked on, as well as the motives and interests of the people who participate in it, there may be different types. Some examples according to Coll (2001) and Sallán (2006) are:

• All types of training, both initial and permanent, that are carried out in educational institutions. Also training for students as well as occupational and professional training.

• Also activities of collaborative work between professionals or students of educational levels, communities of users of certain services etc...

What problems can arise in virtual learning communities?

In spite of having multiple advantages, in the virtual communities of learning can arise problems that hinder its development or even that hinder its success. (Revuelta and Pérez, 2012). The following are summarized below:

• Although virtual learning communities may or may not be moderated by a teacher on some occasions, accessibility for all its members and participation at all levels is complicated.

• In some cases, it is often difficult for the people who form it to have a sense of community, collaboration and participation.

• In order to participate in this type of virtual learning communities, it is necessary that people have minimal training in new technologies and this in older people is usually a problem.

• Given the large volume of information that exists through the Internet, it is possible that sometimes the content and information that is exposed in the community is not of quality. All this will depend on the role of the teacher as well as the participants.

• For the community to function, participants need to be committed and motivated. It is also desirable that they know the rules and rules that exist within it.

• The teacher should try to create an atmosphere of trust so that the students can express their doubts and even if necessary, engage in a dialogue with the latter.

• The community must be planned with a clear working method.

• Finally, there must be a climate that encourages, among other things, creativity and motivation to learn, as well as innovation.

What role does it play in education?

Due to the current society in which we live, which is characterized by its speed, innovation and uncertainty; Education must be of quality. It is true that the educational context has already changed, but it has not done so as far as its function is concerned, since it has to enable the student to learn throughout life.

The traditional view of training has changed completely by opening doors to learning in both formal, non-formal and informal settings. Therefore, a person can now be trained both from his experiences and interactions, as well as from regulated training institutions, as well as from those he has obtained through activities organized by other non-educational institutions and by interactions with family or friends.

Nowadays, not only can we acquire knowledge through the aforementioned channels, but also through virtual communities of learning, which will complete education as we know it:

• It will enable us to count on different resources and documents, both visual and audiovisual, thus triggering a richer and more varied information environment.

• We can open different spaces to debate on some subject, which will in turn facilitate that the professionals can adapt to the learning styles and multiple intelligences of the students.

• It has changed the way of conceiving the protagonists of the teaching-learning process which has helped to rethink how knowledge is constructed.

• It is a completely interactive environment in which people interact and share information.

• They open the doors to flexibility allowing each person to participate in the schedule that is most comfortable and the place you want.

• Derived from the above, in these environments it facilitates that people from all over the world can participate, thus expanding multiculturalism.

• Since the student controls his own learning pace, he is more involved in the process, so he is more motivated (Cabero and Llorente, 2010).

What is the role of teachers?

Teachers, thanks to the incorporation of new technologies into teaching, have changed their traditional role as a speaker and merely as a transmitter of information.

He is currently conceived as a designer and facilitator of learning, as well as an advisor and moderator of the group and evaluator of the experience.

Its role is essential for the link between technology, learning as well as teaching to be successful, so that as regards virtual learning communities (CVA), it will perform the following activities: active participation and involvement, increase autonomy Of the student so that they assume a positive interdependence and feeling of trust with their peers as well as responsibility in the learning process (Cabero and Llorente, 2010).

According to Siemens (2010) can be enumerated the functions that teachers have to perform in virtual learning spaces in:

• Amplify the information. That is, it is in charge of distributing the content to the different tools that are being used in order for it to reach the whole world.

• Through tools such as forums, the teacher has to go through to highlight the issues that are important in the subjects that are working.

• Signaling and creating social sense. Given the large amount of information available, the teacher has to make sense of what is being seen.

• It also has to be recycled and know of new technologies in order to efficiently handle the different tools.

• The teaching staff has to guide the student during the units to enrich and facilitate learning.

• Moderate and continuous presence. A good teacher of the 21st century has to know how to act in virtual learning environments, as well as being present in them.

What is the role of students?

The role of the student in teaching has changed significantly, since he no longer has to accumulate knowledge as was done until relatively recently.

Now you need to have competencies that will help you manage yourself in the information society. Therefore, it will require training related to the use, use, selection and organization of information. This will help you manage ICT And to participate properly in virtual learning communities.

conclusion

The incorporation of new technologies into the teaching-learning process has opened up a new world of possibilities in the educational field, which is enriched by the many benefits that they offer.

The virtual communities of learning as a result of the union with this incorporation have allowed other models of teaching through the virtual environments approaching the possibility of training to all the people who want to learn about a certain subject, without limit of schedules and places.

These communities are constituted by the set of relations that take place between the participants and are developed in different spaces of relation. This intercommunication keeps the community alive, and without it would not succeed.

For this reason, the teacher acquires a completely new role, being therefore a tutor who manages the process, creates spaces of communication and interrelation besides facilitating the learning of the students. Therefore, it will assume the role of guide during the teaching process.

The role of students has also evolved. Now you have to have the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to participate in these virtual environments and thus enrich yourself with its many benefits.

Finally, we can not forget to mention that just as there is in face-to-face learning, problems can also arise in blended or distance education. That is why as educational professionals, we have to be aware of these problems in order to solve them to give a quality training.

And you, have you participated in any virtual learning community? What do you think?

References

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