This Visitor, Resident distinction is useful when considering which technologies to provide for online learners. For example if your learners are mainly Visitors they are unlikely to take advantage of any feed based system for aggregated information you may put in place. They are also unlikely to blog or comment as part of a course.
We have learned that Critical Friendship,
an
essential ingredient for learning communities, is best achieved through
providing deliberate time and structures to promote adult growth that
is directly linked to student learning.
This is part of what is so exciting about what is happening in the classroom with technology. Our students are watching us learn right along with them. That can be so powerful.