Understanding Virtual Communities

• Virtual communities are born from technological advancement and increased interest in synchronous communication, which breaks geographical barriers.
• Virtual communities form based on shared needs and interests, requiring a valuable medium like computers with internet and networking capabilities.

Definition

• Virtual communities are web-based environments where people with shared interests and topics can share documents, resources, and connect through virtual channels like forums, mailing lists, blogs, and chats. (Magallanes, 2015, pp. 19-32)
• The term "virtual communities" dates back to the 1970s but was first defined in 1984 by Howard Rheingold.
• Howard Rheingold defined virtual communities as social aggregations that emerge online when enough people engage in public discussions long enough, with sufficient human sentiment, to form personal relationships in cyberspace. (Rheingold, 1996)

Types of Communities

• Markus (2002) classifies virtual communities into three groups: Social, Professional, and Commercial Orientation.
• Jonassen, Peck, and Wilson (1999) classify virtual communities into four types based on their structure: Discourse, Practice, Construction, and Learning.

Classification unifications

• Social or Discourse Orientation: natural human interactions and shared interests personally or remotely via communication platforms.
• Commercial or Practice Orientation: Conventional classes or work groups assigning roles, teaching others, and developing support identities.
• Professional Knowledge Construction or Orientation: supports strategic learning as an aim where students and instructors build confidences by constructing knowledge, instead of receiving and rewriting it
• Studying Orientation: Classes are typically disconnected, so purpose is to learn together, thereby reinforcing identies by excluding others.

Types of Networks

• Social networks are commonly associated with web platforms and apps that enable users to share real-time information.
• This requires an electronic device, network connection, and strong technological support.
• Social networks are considered part of a virtual community, based on the relationships of friends and family.
• Digital platforms that allow communities to connect with shared interests, occupations, or interests are considered social networks.

Current social network facts

• Social networks connect people across geographical distances, enabling real-time sharing of topics, images, and viewpoints.
• The prevalence of internet use integrates social networks deeply into our routines and transforms them into indispensable digital tools.
• An analogy of social networks is like a sporting club relating community where common interests and objectives exist, and that existing network doesn't undermine community
• Celaya (2008) identifies three main categories of social networks: Professional, General, and Specialized.
• Although other network types also exist, the aforementioned networks attract heavier traffic based, according to official records (Hütt Herrera, 2012).
• Social networks can be classified into horizontal/generic and vertical types.

Network Types

Professional Networks:

• Contribute in fostering "networking" among medium size businesses
• Help intermediate managerial positions in big companies by connecting via linkedin

General Networks:

• User profiles are similar to professional ones
• Pace determined by contact generation
• Join to connect with others in any area, or to share pictures

Specialized Networks:

• Recorded appearances during past years
• Focus to match particular interests
• Fulfills innate human tendency to form groups

Social Media Classifications

Horizontal/Generic Social Networks:

• Lack a specific focus; target all users.
• Serve as information, communication access and entertainment
• Examples: Facebook or Twitter

Vertical Social Networks:

• Organise certain interests such as music with shared commonalities
• Allows one to find professionals
• Examples: Linkedin

Social Network traits

• Geographic Origin: unrestricted to location
• Interest Based Members:
  • Centre interactions related to tablet topics
• Service Pests:
  • Offer in real time and allow user profile set up

Advantages of social media usage

• Immediate: Social networks operate in real-time.
• Public information: posts and shared opinions are made public.
• Massive networking is made possible.
• Distances reduce by connecting various groups and users
• Market visibility: improved brand awareness/profile creation.

Discussion Forums

• A discussion forum is a tangible or virtual space where participants can openly share ideas and ask questions on various topics.
• The aim is to exchange diverse opinions on subjects of significance, while sharing skills and receiving answers that lead to fresh perspectives.

Social Networks

• Virtual network platforms digitally consist of unique people and interests to conduct business and information

Email and Group Email

• Email provides service capabilities to deliver documents, images, and music
• Wide spread, rapid, and low cost have made it popular