The sixth chapter of The Connected Educator is focused
on building a learning community from the ground up. Several diagrams are
printed on the pages to demonstrate sections of the process and the flow of the
community. The authors start with the community’s design which leads to
community roles and eventually a healthy self-sustaining community. Two major
concepts from this chapter include vetting the network and having a passionate
experienced leader of the group. While I agree with Sheryl and Lani that every group
starts as a concept and grows based on the community, I differ in the tools
used. I am also skeptical of using some of the author’s techniques in a world
that is very different from the 2012 online space.
The authors
point to Twitter being a primary source of networks, “Many online learners
prefer networks on Twitter…where they can share short conversations and where
their ideas are met by like-minded support” (96). It is important to note the controversies
behind the space that is Twitter. Since Elon Musk’s takeover of the company in
October of 2022, one important factor is the rise of hate and antisemitism on
the platform. With Musk at the helm, the platform has changed and evolved into a
space not as conducive to learning as it was 10 years prior, during the
authorship of The Connected Educator. It is important to point out the
changes in the online space as the platform of the space is just as important
as the learning community itself. It is a struggle to develop an open and psychologically
safe community in person without the added struggles of online spaces. A
similar concern is there for the platform Facebook.
Facebook
has faced a myriad of concerns ranging from the promotion of aggravating propaganda,
being central to several uprisings in other countries, and like Twitter, a
space for hate groups to organize. The book speaks to developing online
learning spaces with a hint of these spaces being self-governing. In practice,
groups on Facebook need heavy moderation, particularly from spam and hate
comments. The amount of people in one space makes any group accessible to those
with a variety of backgrounds and educational levels. At times, these
differences become more problematic than helpful to a community. It is a fine
line between moderation and community policing; a line which the book fails to provide
clear direction.
Aside from those criticisms, I think the authors have good, if not general, instructions on how to start up a community. I suggest different spaces than those listed in the book. Discord is an online chat platform that provides mod support, moderation bots, as well as a thriving community of individuals to help build your online community. Another suggestion for building an online community is through LinkedIn. Since profiles are there to show off an individual’s success in a professional way, it saves a lot of time in the vetting process and provides a quick way to connect with others who have similar interests. Likewise, there’s a sense of being on one’s best behavior as anyone can see posts and comments which can impact a professional career. I believe the platform is just as important as the individuals within the group.
I have navigated the online space for almost 20 years. I have watched forums come and go. I have been a part of several writing and art communities. I have also moved on from those older communities to find different spaces from gaming to art that fulfill my hobbies. Lately, I'm in more in-person or hybrid groups such as Toastmasters, an established network to build leadership and public speaking skills. I have no desire to build an online community due to the hours and energy it takes to build and maintain a successful community. However, I am happy to join spaces and either "harvest" links, like the book suggests, or become some level of participating member in chats.
Finkelstein, J., Donohue, J., Goldenberg, A., Jussim, L., Ross, A. R., Vasko, C., Ramos, C., Glover, T., & Jagdeep, A. (2023, February 8). #twittertakeover: How the Musk acquisition became a launchpad for gen-z neo-nazis, Ye, and widespread antisemitism. Network Contagion Research Institute. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://networkcontagion.us/reports/2-8-23-twittertakeover-how-the-musk-acquisition-became-a-launchpad-for-gen-z-neo-nazis-ye-and-widespread-antisemitism/
Nussbaum-Beach, S., & Hall, L. R. (2012). The connected educator: Learning and leading in a Digital age. Solution Tree Press.
I really appreciate how you openly disagree with some of the processes used by the authors, and to be thoughtful in the fact that some spaces such as Twitter and Facebook are quickly becoming spaces where there are huge shifts in political and moral perspectives, so to have an important grounding of support wherein you have the sources of information vetted in a time were there is an over surge of false information is critical for creating healthy, growing communities. In some cases smaller is better, and platforms can always shift, grow, change, or even die out. So it is best to be wary of what platform you're "living in" and to have a healthy relationship with individuals whom you trust for solid information.
ReplyDeleteLike Mary said i enjoyed how you disagreed with the authors in the book. I also enjoyed that you pointed out, and described how certain platform are not what they use to be. I also liked that you gave different platforms that you can use if Facebook and Twitter do not seem appealing or overwhelming.
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