Abstract
This literature review synthesizes recent research focused on online learning communities in higher education. It discusses the following emerging research themes: 1) understanding online communities and the community-building process, 2) student perceptions and experiences of online communities, 3) design, practices, and strategies supporting these communities. Regarding research approaches, researchers in this area have employed case study research, action research, survey research, and design-based research for their studies. Issues concerning data collection and analysis methods are also addressed. Finally, the literature review suggests future research directions and challenges that researchers encounter in developing new insights concerning learners and online learning communities.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of E-Learn: World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2007 |
| Editors | Theo Bastiaens, Saul Carliner |
| Place of Publication | Quebec City, Canada |
| Publisher | Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) |
| Pages | 2086-2092 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| State | Published - Oct 1 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |