Online and Social Networking Communities

Jennifer Preece, University of Maryland, Areas of expertise: Online Communities, Social Computing.

2. I recommend this book for publication. If designed as a text, would you use the book for your courses? Why or why not?

Yes. I might use it but I would need to see the whole book first.

2. Who do you consider to be the primary audience for the book? The secondary audience?

Higher ed teachers and trainers, particularly those engaged in distance education professionally (e.g., lectures, professors in distance ed universities0 and also those who are moving to teaching online using such systems as Blackboard. Teachers in secondary schools and colleges of education.

If the work is intended as a textbook,

2. For which course(s) would it be most appropriate?

Pedagogy of distance ed.

Practical courses in online educational environments

General guidance book for lecturers and trainers moving in to distance ed (there is a lot of these people)

2. Can you comment on the sales potential for this book, and whether it would be likely to sell copies outside of the UK (Australia, US, Canada, Europe, S. Africa)?

Yes, it would be purchased in the US and other English speaking countries

2. Does it appear to be written from an original perspective? Is the book on the "leading edge" of its field, or fairly standard in its approach?

To be on the leading edge it needs to include more material on systems such as: Second Life, Facebook, Social networking tools, blogs, twitter, YouTube, Flicker etc.

David McConnell, Lancaster University Areas of Expertise: Learning communities, Online Learning, Groups

Do the author(s)/editor(s) appear well qualified to write/edit the book?

Yes, the author is an experienced Open University (UK) academic members of staff and has been involved in the field of e-learning for over ten years, having taught online and published research papers on student learning through technology.

2. I recommend this book for publication. If designed as a text, would you use the book for your courses? Why or why not?

I think this book has potential in a field where the audience is international and growing. Some thought perhaps has to be given to ensuring that it offers a really up-to-date resource, that taps into current real features of online learning communities and which goes beyond a too traditional ‘here’s how to do it’ book and offers readers an exciting and challenging prospect for using communities in their online teaching. Matching the practical to the exciting and potential will perhaps be a challenge for the author, but if it is achieved, this book could be a very interesting and potentially sought after addition to the series.

2. Do you believe that the market for this book is growing, or, if the book is a text, do you see any trends in enrollment in this course?

Yes I think there is a good market for a book of this kind, especially if it is to use case studies from different countries: that will be very attractive to practitioners. There is considerable interest in communities in online learning.

The author cites some significant exiting books in this area, and quite correctly indicates how her book is different to them. Her proposal is fairly unique in that it will draw-on international case studies, and will focus on practical issues of community learning online. That is it’s appeal.

2. Please give us an indication of the size of the market, if possible, and of organizations/institutions which would be interested in the book

It’s difficult to estimate the size of the market, but it includes teachers in universities and colleges who are interested in online learning (a very large market in itself), as well as those actually running online courses that aim to use communities as a major source of learning. Additionally, trainers in public and private sector organizations will be looking for help in developing in-house training systems that are designed around communities and groups.

I don’t know the extent of research that underpins this book: it is not clear from the proposal. But if there is a substantial research base that is of a high quality, then those researching the filed may also be interested. However, it seems from reading the proposal that the main market will be practitioners and course team members – this is a substantial international market.

Some institutions may be interested in a book of this kind, especially perhaps those that provide staff development in the area of online learning and teaching. If the book is sufficiently practical in nature, and if it offers solutions, then it’s market will be increased as this is a very practical area to write for.