How to make an online community come to life? I am seeking references to resources on this subject.
We know from experience it is not enough to set up the system or tool, be it a forum in an academic VLE, a cheesy social network, an online community for business, or a workplace group for sharing specialist knowledge. If the initiative is not to fall flat, users need to be attracted and enthused somehow, so that they engage in the community, become part of it and make it come to life and live on.
My own instinct would be to hire virtual cheerleaders to fire bubbly messages at each other, but that’s obviously not serious. So, I am earnestly looking for some received wisdom on dynamization of virtual learning environments, i.e. how to foster lively participation and do it successfully.
Many thanks.
Alec