The philosophy and practice of an online learning community in distance education

Le Jun
Guangdong Radio & TV University
Guangzhou, China

Recently, there have been efforts to apply Web 2.0 technologies in higher education, but the number of successful applications has been limited. This paper discusses trials in our University of a Web 2.0-based knowledge management tool -- 'My Campus Space' (MCS) -- in an attempt to construct a virtual learning community and knowledge-sharing platform to improve open and distance learning for adult distance learners. We analyse the service components of the system, which has six modules: personal knowledge management, blog, community, profile, portal and a human resources source.

In the process -- in which we have used the theories and methods of knowledge management, communities of practice and distance education -- we have encountered some difficulties, such as: the need to move the learning media resources and interactive elements to the system from the learning management system, which can cause problems of resource integration and dispersal; the lack of readiness of the learners and teachers to use this new tool; the topic selection and design in the community; knowledge accumulation and discovery; and the instructional organization based on collaborative learning.

Our practices are still at an early stage, and some issues have yet to be resolved for optimal utilization of the system. For example, we need to integrate some different factors from course instruction, professional development, support services and the technology system.

Here we advance some possible strategies for effective use of the system, including ways of: supporting the role change of the learners and teachers; designing common interesting topics; encouraging talks and knowledge-sharing; and developing collaborative learning based on groups and a virtual learning community.