Title
Fostering social capital in a learning network: laying the groundwork for a peer-support service
Abstract
In online learning environments, communities are desirable, or as is the case for a learning network, even essential. This raises the question of how to attain and sustain these communities. In this article, we argue that this can be achieved by fostering the social capital of the learning network. It is argued that this can be achieved by: 1) improving the relationship characteristics; 2) increasing the sense of belonging to the community; 3) heightening the mutual support. It is hypothesised that these improvements can be achieved by using so called Ad-Hoc Transient Groups (AHTGs). These groups are a means through which learners are brought together for a specific, learning-related goal ('ad-hoc') and for only a limited amount of time ('transience'). In order to deepen the concept of AHTGs, a relevant theoretical background as well as requirements for peer-support service that utilises Ad-Hoc Transient Groups is provided. This is followed by an example of how the service can be implemented in an existing learning network (eTwinning). Finally, conclusions are drawn and future research discussed.
Year
DOI
Venue
2010
10.1504/IJLT.2010.038774
IJLT
Keywords
Field
DocType
sense of belonging to the community,social capital,learning networks,relevant theoretical background,peer support,utilises ad-hoc transient groups,ad hoc transient communities,existing learning network,online lifelong learning,learning-related goal,ad-hoc transient groups,mutual support,relationship characteristic,social network structure,peer-support service,limited amount,learning technology,internet,electronic learning,world wide web,lifelong learning,social networks,social network
Educational technology,Peer support,Social capital,Social network,As is,Knowledge management,Psychology,Social support,European union,The Internet
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
5
4
1477-8386
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
7
0.62
12
Authors
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Sibren Fetter1253.58
Adriana J. Berlanga219021.44
Peter Sloep340248.47