Learning in Online Forums

Information and communication technologies afford different levels and types of support for learning networks. We draw on our studies of video-conferenced classrooms, group discussion spaces, and online communities to suggest a framework for understanding how learning networks can benefit from various e-learning venues. We show how the design of computer-mediated environments influence the kinds of learning processes that are likely to unfold as business professionals interact with one another across time and space barriers. The extent to which participants experience these types of learning depends upon how the electronic environments are structured and, more importantly, on how participants manage their interaction processes. Though all venues provide access to distributed social resources, some settings are more effective than others in addressing the specific learning needs of knowledge workers.