The virtual learning communities They are communities of people who share common values and interests, and who communicate through the different communication tools offered by telematic networks, whether synchronous or asynchronous..
Due to the society in which we live, which is characterized by its speed, innovation and uncertainty, education must be of quality. It is true that the educational context has changed, but it has not done so in terms of its function, since it has to train the student for lifelong learning.
The traditional vision of training has completely changed, opening doors to learning in formal, non-formal and informal settings. A person today can be formed from their experiences and interactions, in regulated training institutions, or in interactions with family or friends.
Therefore, we can not only acquire knowledge through traditional ways, but also through virtual learning communities, which will complete education as we know it..
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The main characteristics that distinguish a physical community from a virtual community are:
-Participants who participate in virtual communities communicate through new technologies such as smartphones and computers.
-Since this class of devices are used, it provides them with more flexibility in time.
-New knowledge is usually generated and built, as well as information exchanged between community participants.
-They do not have to share values or beliefs, although if they do, the virtual community will be healthier.
-Through different types of communication tools, both asynchronous and synchronous, as well as text and audiovisual, interaction occurs in this type of communities.
-Finally, a multidirectional communication is carried out.
All types of virtual communities will have in common the characteristics mentioned above, what will differentiate them will be their objectives or the purpose or goal they want to achieve.
In addition, the people who participate in each of them are of great importance because they must be united by some interest they have in common and actively participate in it..
We can find four different types of virtual communities:
Currently we can talk with people who are far from us through the Internet and electronic devices, thus sharing our interests or any type of information with them..
Creating groups with other people in which each one performs a certain function. As its name indicates, the communities of practice aim to train professionally and give knowledge to students in order for them to find work.
When the objective is to support students to pursue a strategy and learning is a goal. Technology can play an important role in these types of communities, since it allows ideas to be stored, organized and reformulated..
A virtual community will be understood as learning when its main objective is that the people who participate in it acquire knowledge, learning, skills and competences.
Depending on the topic that is going to be worked on, as well as the motives and interests of the people who participate in it, there may be different types of virtual learning communities. Some examples are:
Despite having multiple advantages, problems can arise in virtual learning communities that hinder their development or even hinder their success. They are presented in summary form below:
-Although virtual learning communities are or are not moderated by a teacher on some occasions, accessibility for all the members that compose it as well as that they participate at all levels is complicated.
-On some occasions, it is often difficult for the people who form it to have a feeling of community, collaboration and participation.
-To be able to participate in this type of virtual learning communities, it is necessary that people have a minimum training in new technologies and this in older people is usually a problem.
-Given the large volume of information that exists thanks to the Internet, it is possible that sometimes both the content and the information that is exposed in the community is not of quality. All this will depend on the role of the teacher as well as the participants.
-For the community to function, the participants need to be committed and motivated. It is also convenient that they know the rules and regulations that exist within it..
-The teacher should try to create an atmosphere of trust so that students can express their doubts and even if necessary, start a dialogue with them..
-The community must be planned with a clear working method.
-Finally, there must be a climate that encourages, among other things, creativity and motivation to learn, as well as innovation..
-It will allow us to have different resources and documents, both visual and audiovisual, thus unleashing a richer and more varied environment of information.
-We can open different spaces to debate on a topic, which in turn will facilitate that professionals can adapt to the learning styles and multiple intelligences of the students.
-The way of conceiving the protagonists of the teaching-learning process has changed, which has helped to rethink how knowledge is built.
-It is a completely interactive environment in which people interact and share information.
-They open the doors to flexibility, thus allowing each person to participate at the time that is most comfortable for them and from the place they want..
-Derived from the previous one, these environments make it easier for people from all over the world to participate, thus expanding multiculturalism.
-Since the student controls their own learning pace, they become more involved in the process, so they are more motivated.
Teachers, thanks to the incorporation of new technologies in teaching, have changed their traditional role of speaker and mere transmitter of information. He is currently conceived as a designer and facilitator of learning, as well as an advisor and moderator of the group and evaluator of the experience..
The functions that teachers have to perform in virtual learning spaces can be listed in:
The role of the student in teaching has changed significantly, since they no longer have to accumulate knowledge as they did until relatively recently..
Now you need to have skills that help you navigate the information society. Therefore, it will require training related to the use, use, selection and organization of information. This will help you to manage ICT and to participate adequately in virtual learning communities.
The incorporation of new technologies into the teaching-learning process has opened a new world of possibilities in the educational field, which is enriched by the multiple benefits they provide..
The virtual learning communities as a result of the union with this incorporation have allowed other teaching models through virtual environments, bringing the possibility of training to all people who want to learn about a certain topic, without limit of times and places.
These communities are constituted by the set of relationships that occur between the participants and are developed in different spaces of relationship. This intercom keeps the community alive, and without it it would not be successful..
For this reason, the teacher acquires a totally new role, being therefore a tutor who manages the process, creates spaces for communication and interrelation in addition to facilitating student learning. Therefore, you will assume the role of guide during the teaching process.
The role of the student body has also evolved. Now you have to have the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to participate in these virtual environments and thus enrich yourself with their multiple benefits..
Finally, we cannot forget to mention that, as exists in face-to-face learning, problems can also arise in blended or distance training. That is why as education professionals, we have to be aware of these problems in order to solve them to provide quality training..
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