Online Communities

Topics

• Social Networking• Online Work Spaces• Virtual Learning Environments• User-Generated Reference Sites

Social Networking

• Social Networking utilises the internet to communicate by:– Text– Voice– Video

• Various methods of social networking are available:– Social Networks (eg Facebook)– IM (Instant Messaging)– Blogs– Forums– VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

Social Networks

• Allows you to post pictures, videos and messages.

• Can respond to other peoples posts• Requires usernames/passwords• Join ‘communities’ with similar likes• Issues of security/personal data/identity

IM

• Chat in ‘real-time’ via messages (eg mobile phone)

• Instantaneous delivery – not necessarily instantaneous response

• 1 to 1 or small groups for messages

Blogs

• Online diaries that can contain text, images, videos

• Normally a persons collection of thoughts on a topic(s) of their interest

• Can also be used to ‘help/support’ purposes.• Generally they are one way communication

although most blogs do have a comments section

Forums

• Discussion areas on the internet that allow people to post and answer questions

• Often used in gaming for support/help/hints etc or in software support

• Users can post in real time but answers may not be instantaneous

• Accuracy of information can be an issue

VoIP

• Using the Internet to speak/phone to somebody

• Cheap (or free) as the connection is already there, but quality will depend of the internet connection.

Online Work Spaces

• Allows users to save and access work remotely, share files and work on projects at the same time as others. (Think Google Drive)

• Information can be accessed on a variety of devices which have internet access

• Passwords/usernames required

Virtual Learning Environments

• Allow registered users access to learning resources and materials. Often used by Universities for Distance Learning

• Students can; access materials, take tests, watch videos, contact tutors, upload assignments

• Teachers can; post lessons, materials, mark tests, view student progress

User-Generated Reference Sites

• Sites which are created or personalised by a group of people working collaboratively. Users can add own content to the site (think Wikipedia)

• Information can be gathered from a wide range of sources

• However, the information may not always be accurate

Practice Paper

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