Why online communities and platforms such as p2pu are important for learning? One of the key findings was that learning is a social construction process. Social learning is more concerned with self paced learning activities and learners’ interactions around certain content. Therefore the diversity of participants in this course in terms of location, education and professional backgrounds, age or motivations have contributed to a stimulating environment with different opinions, different cultural backgrounds and different personal experiences.
Most of the class discussions took place in forums. To participate in seminars, virtual students used the Internet Relay Chat channel.
An important value that p2pu is built on is the openness of content, courses, and functioning. Participants were inquired on how they feel about the course being open to everyone. Most of them were happy, especially because of the fact that being open brings together so many different people. Some believe it gives them personal freedom, comparing to classical education: “It allows me to walk away from the course if I don’t find it interesting, there is no pressure and I can get involved as much as I like” explained Lena HOFMAN, a graduate student in social informatics. Some even expressed that open learning is the future model for education: “I believe open learning or informal learning is the future and that it will solve a lot of economic problems not only to developing countries but also to developed countries” said Nadhir, CEO of e-Taalim.com and are optimistic that this would be the path to sustainable development: “Open education and sharing of educational resources enhances creativity and thus produces more knowledge to the overall community.” Nadhir continues
However, to some participants openness did not seem appropriate in all contexts: “I do think private, walled online gardens are essential sometimes to frank discussions”, said Andria krewson, editor for The Charlotte Observer. While for others, it has even been an obstacle: “There have been comments I have hesitated to make (and some have been left unsaid) because of the openness.” Reported Richard SMART. Some express doubt, especially when in application to academic context: “If students (particularly younger ones) are on record saying something in what is supposed to an academic environment, there are clearly risks of people avoiding giving honest opinions etc.” continues Richard.
As we see, the concept of openness has been interpreted differently among users in this virtual context.
