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Fostering Sociability in Learning Networks through Ad-Hoc Transient Communities

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Computer-Mediated Social Networking (ICCMSN 2008)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNAI,volume 5322))

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Abstract

Lifelong learners somehow need to fulfil their competence development needs. Traditionally, this has been done mainly in formal settings. However, this paper argues from the assumption that non-formal educational settings are much better suited; particularly so if a Learning Network is used to provide a social environment in which to embed learning opportunities. A Learning Network is not nor consists of communities from the outset; its community-like nature should emerge from the interactions of its inhabitants and evolve over time. How can this be done? Although learners might have several long-term motives to engage socially, the paper notes that little is known about their short-term motives. The notion of ad-hoc transient communities is then introduced as a promising mechanism to drive the emergence and evolution of social behaviour in Learning Networks. Subsequently, various theoretical notions for why such communities can provide the short-term motives sought are discussed. A short discussion of future areas for research closes the paper.

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  1. OTEC, Open Universiteit Nederland, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6401 DL, Heerlen, Netherlands

    Peter B. Sloep

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  1. Peter B. Sloep
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  1. Department of Information Science, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Maryam Purvis  & Bastin Tony Roy Savarimuthu  & 

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Sloep, P.B. (2009). Fostering Sociability in Learning Networks through Ad-Hoc Transient Communities. In: Purvis, M., Savarimuthu, B.T.R. (eds) Computer-Mediated Social Networking. ICCMSN 2008. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 5322. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02276-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02276-0_7

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