Critical facilities for active participation in learning networks Online publication date: Wed, 11-Jan-2006
by Hans G.K. Hummel, Colin Tattersall, Daniel Burgos, Francis Brouns, Hub Kurvers, Rob Koper
International Journal of Web Based Communities (IJWBC), Vol. 2, No. 1, 2006
Abstract: This article investigates conditions for increasing active participation in online communities. As a case study, we use three generations of facilities designed to promote learning in the area of Educational Modelling Languages. Following a description of early experience with a conventional website and with a community site offering facilities for collaboration, we describe a pilot implementation of a learning network. Preliminary participation data (both passive and active) is reported, together with lessons learned while setting up the pilot. Early experiences reveal that clear policies, usability and reward systems are of importance when facilitating a learning network. We reveal first (positive) findings with introducing such a reward mechanism in the network. Our 'lessons learned' are phrased in terms of recommendations which will be used to guide subsequent learning network implementations.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Web Based Communities (IJWBC):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook