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The chapters in this volume explore the theoretical, design, learning, and methodological questions with respect to designing for and researching web-based communities to support learning. The authors, coming from diverse academic backgrounds (computer science, information science, instructional systems technology, educational psychology, sociology, and anthropology), are frank in examining what we do and do not know about the processes and practices of designing communities to support learning.

The benefit of food focused community building: contributing to a shareable world.

Author finds that young people do care about privacy, but are more concerned with social privacy, rather than institutional privacy. "Contrary to much of the rhetoric in the debate around online privacy, the use of Facebook is not necessarily a choice free of coercion, nor are the reasons for sharing information on the site simply about self-obsession or exhibitionism." Rather it is a dominate expression of online identity and a way to communicate with peers. This is following one of the important points of Wesch - that there is no opting out of new media once the community starts to participate.

Provides online tools and recommendations for protecting oneself in an online community.

This refers to how less restrained people feel on the internet v. real life. This might seem more related to internet identity, but it can have huge effects on civil community on the internet too. I thought of this when I read "One important social rule was built into the software that the WELL lives inside: Nobody is anonymous. Everybody is required to attach their real userid to their postings" (Rheingold, Chapter 1).

A paper written by two technology professionals with recommendations on how to enhance community using technology tools. Basis of their article focuses on importance of interaction with content, interaction with instructor, and interaction with students.

An article from "Teaching Tolerance" magazine that deals with how social media can be, perhaps, used in the classroom to engender community based learning and social justice.

And the follow up. Most astonishing of course is the sizes of Facebook and MySpace in the two data results.

It's still used for Music information and community... and it still has a large membership though usage is down. Many people may not log in anymore, but did not delete their accounts.

true. The music set up there is very good. Many of my musician friends have their professional sites in myspace and link to them via fb.

Ultra funny online comic xkcd used data for membership of online communities in 2007 to draw a map of them based on size.

I found this through Kevin Kelly's website. "Quantified Self 2011 is a conference for users and tool makers interested in self-tracking systems. It will be a "working meeting" for the QS community (14 groups worldwide), where we will gather, inspire, and learn from each other as we share and collaborate on self-tracking projects. We will also explore the potential effects of self-tracking on ourselves and society."

Expert on communities and place.

A department of the World Bank with expertise in policy and regulatory matters, in eGovernment, information technology, innovation and the enabling environment. Promotes access to information and communication technologies in developing countries.

This brief article about social networking in religious communities contains links to Neo-Pagan, Interfaith, Jewish, Christian, Muslim social networks and further resources to read.

fascinating.

I read this article detailing why e-books are better for the environment, cheaper, easier for eyes to read, convenient... My question is if anyone has an e-book reader and how they like it. I'm considering one of my own.

I have a Kindle and I LOVE it. I will admit that I hate that I cannot share my books with my friends as this is something that I used to do all the time. The Nook has that capability and there are rumors that Amazon will push through software that will allow this capability and I really hope they do. The Kindle has done amazing things for my book shelves and I think my husband is thrilled that we no longer have to keep adding. It is a dedicated ereader so it is limited to what I can do compared to an iPad but when I just want to read something the Kindle (or ereader) cannot be beat. While you are reading the iPad you are looking a computer monitor and that really strains my eyes. The Kindle is exactly like reading a book and there is no eye strain. Plus, the Kindle is a lot lighter than a book so it is much more comfortable to hold for long periods of time. It is great when I travel because I have a ton of books loaded onto my Kindle and I am set to go and I do not have to worry about their weight or carrying them around. Dessi mentioned that she liked having the old-fashioned paper in her hands and I thought I was going to be that way as well but I got over it real quick! I will admit that I do not like it for my school text books because I like to be able to visually see my books and I place notes all over the place with post-its and an old-fashioned book is just better for me in that respect.

They all seem to have advantages and disadvantges... I agree one problem with the ipad is the screen - it's better than a typical computer screen, but not as easy on the eyes as a dedicated e-reader. I am still attached to the physical experience of reading and writing, but that's cool that has really worked for Heather. One of the reasons why it might have not worked for scholarly reading is that the tools still seem limited for engaged reading, marking up texts, highlighting, etc. I am hoping there will be good apps for this with the ipad (i just got it and haven't had a chance to look). Beestel, you have to read through the details of each device to find out what is best for you and your reading needs.

Argues that Terms of service (TOS) agreements have implications for the political and legal structures under which our virtual selves will function. Also, the Wall Street Journal has actually been running fantastic series of investigative reports on this topic, called "what they know": http://online.wsj.com/public/page/what-they-know-digital-privacy.html

Kickstarter and other sites allow people to donate money to artists, etc. It may be an example of how virtual communities function with real-world matters.

I kind of think that a movement can be a form of a community. In that it is still a group of people with common interests, knowledge, language and established rules. The prime difference I think is that movements are more action oriented to complete specific goals.

One of the reasons why I will likely never be good at joining virtual communities such as Second Life is that I get really, really nauseous when moving through images on a screen when I'm sitting in a chair. Apparently, people call this "cybersickness."

This is an interesting use of a social media tool to better connect four homeless men with the "community around them," to quote one of the people involved in this project. There are interesting comments, everything from someone calling Mr. Wiggins' followers "compassionless voyeurs," to others praising the fact that these men are given a voice that might one day help their plight. I think only good things can come from giving voice to people on the edges of the digital divide, but that's my opinion.

Professor Wu traces the history of communications systems. He describes similarities between radio and the Internet, such as the tendency to consolidate.