Online Virtual Communities

Our faculty development group in the CIT is participating in a book club. This month we read an article titled "Examining information exchange and virtual communities: an emergent framework." The article focused on the components of a successful virtual community. The article was very timely as the CIT is planning to cultivate an online community at JMU. I believe that building a thriving online community can be very challenging. The authors discussion of need fulfillment and level of interaction in the community seem like obvious components of a successful online community.

Everyone sets priorities in their work and personal lives. Those priorities revolve around necessity and fulfillment. As the CIT begins to build an online community, I think it is important for us to plan and evaluate why it is necessary and fulfilling to be a part of our community. What will our community offer that is useful and interesting to the higher ed culture? In an evaluation of your own online development, what components attract you to participate in online communities?

I think we are entering an interesting and exciting era involving online personalities and identities. The possibilities seem endless as social networking evolves and we experiment with the usefulness of the available tools.

Hersberger, J.A., Murray, A.L., and Rioux K.S. (2007). Examining information exchange and virtual communities: an emergent framework. Online Information Review, 31 (2), pp. 135-147.