Creating and Sustaining Community in a Virtual Environment - Information Communication Technologies for Human Services Education and Delivery - page 108

MySpace and Facebook are similar because they
are web-based social sites and function alike.
These social communities are a current form of an
interactive site that is popular with young people.
Many users in these sites are teenagers or young
adults who prefer this form of communication
over emails or similar forms of postings that older
people prefer.
Virtual communities essentially establish
parallel realities and extensions of the social en-
vironment that allow individuals to interact on the
web. To be active in a community there must be
some knowledge and competence in the focus area
around which the community interacts. A person
must be willing to interact and learn from others
as well as being prepared to share knowledge and
experiences (Sherer, Shea, & Kristensen, 2003,
p. 185).
Many colleges and universities as well as a
variety of employers are exploring ways to offer
training through online, web-based technology.
This creates a challenge that is unique to those
wishing to take advantage of these opportunities.
How can a person communicate and interact with
someone else online and how can they together
create the type of community that enriches each
other's experience?
Virtual community groups are popular because
they make greater participation possible in remote
locations. They also allow people with learning
difficulties who may otherwise shy away from
face-to-face contact to be able to interact with a
diverse population on a variety of subjects (Tullar
& Kaiser, 2000, p. 408).
All communities, whether face-to-face or in
a virtual setting, need places for the members to
meet. This may be the office lunchroom, or the
neighborhood coffee shop, the local bookstore—
places where you see groups coming together.
There are similar opportunities on the web such as
being part of a mailing list, being in a chat room,
interacting in a web site, or a combination of these
places. Over time these groups of people get to
know each other better, and to feel comfortable

interacting with each other in online settings.
Learning communities that are formed on the
web are done so as a reaction to needing mutual
support as well as the need for shared values, goals
and resources. Learning communities provide an
environment for one to learn in an atmosphere of
sharing, collaboration, trust, support and respect
for diversity (Chang, 2003, p.28).
Online communities have been a part of the
Internet since its beginning. There have been a
number of communities established such as the
use of newsgroups, listservs, and virtual worlds.
However, in an online community the members
depend on each other to achieve the outcomes
established in that controlled environment (Lock,
2002, p. 397). People join the various communi-
ties to meet specific needs which that group can
accomplish for them. They may not remain in a
group forever, but may be a part of that group
whilst their needs are being satisfied. They will
then move on to another group that will address
alternate needs and feelings.

current iSSueS for
online communitieS

In today's society many colleges, universities,
and businesses are being transformed by the con-
vergence of two powerful forces—the need for
lifelong learning and the technology revolution
of the Internet. As the body of knowledge grows
at unprecedented speeds in many areas, people no
longer consider their education to be complete once
they are graduated from a college (Bento & Bento,
2000, p.603). Ongoing continuing practice is im-
portant in order to remain marketable; individuals
need to be renewing their skills and keeping current
in all areas of their professions. Web developers
and instructors need to plan for this continuation
of learning to occur. A person's learning basis
of knowledge can be expanded via a web-based
course or community. Learners can complement
one another and share their knowledge and opin-