Space for Learning: Analysis of an Academic Discourse Communityconstructed in a Computer-mediated Asynchronouslearning Environment

As asynchronous learning networks are replacingin-class interaction among students and faculty withon-line computer communication, there is a need tounderstand more about this new environment forlearning. This book examines the on-line learningenvironment as a linguistic space, which affordsstudents and teachers a place for their socialactivity of learning. The analysis is approached fromthe perspective of linguistic anthropology andexamines the ways in which students use the elementsof time and place independence to navigate theenvironment for their own purposes. The studyprovides insights into the manner in which the onlinediscourse functions as a learning space, while alsosupporting institutional curricular needs and theinstructional goals of the faculty. The resultspresented here add to the research on distancelearning and extend our understanding the nature ofonline discourse as both an intellectual dialogthrough which students construct meaning and a spacefor individual reflections through which studentscome to understand content.