Computer technologies are ubiquitous across all facets of modern society, and virtual environments have become a permanent feature of our digital world. This is especially pertinent for those in our current generation, who have been born into a digitally connected world, and who use these technologies as their primary communication tools.
This book comprises 12 chapters contributed by leading authors in their respective areas. The chapters are grouped into three parts: “Theories and Methods,” “Application Areas,” and “Types of Online Social Environments.”
In Part 1, the authors introduce a framework of social computing that considers the interrelationship between constructivism, situated cognition, and distributed cognition. An important point the authors raise is that of the complexity of virtual communities and the need for researchers to collaborate outside their own discipline; it raises the recommendation that analysis of social networks should move beyond traditional researchers, and include members of the mathematics, physics, and computer science communities. The challenge for researchers will be the excess of data, and how to discriminate between the various samples. Each chapter in this section concludes with a list of future research questions or suggested readings that provide a direction for further investigation.
Part 2 begins with an examination of e-learning communities, which is of considerable interest to all educational systems. This form of education has a direct connection with students who are already digitally connected to social networks. The focus then shifts to virtual communities associated with healthcare, and the changing relationship between patient and doctor.
The use of blogs, wikis, and support sites brings together people with similar interests to share information and support. By contrasting online and offline support systems, one author argues that a combination of methods provides a holistic approach to this research. By studying various user-contributed shared content, such as Wikipedia and discussion boards, the author explores the issues regarding copyright, plagiarism, and ownership of intellectual property. The major point arising from this discussion is the issue of trust: How can the trust in a virtual friend be transferred to a face-to-face meeting? These chapters are logically sequenced, and cover broad themes, providing a wealth of information that is fully referenced.
The last part of the book is a collection of works dealing with various online social environments, beginning with the virtual world Second Life. This is not strictly a gaming environment; it has educational potential, allowing students to explore and interact in virtual classrooms. The final theme deals with social networking sites used for communication, relationships, and friendship. They provide opportunities for individuals of all ages to communicate and explore the cultural richness of the world.
This book represents a compilation of works from a diverse group of authors, all focusing on social computing and virtual environments. It reflects the underlying theme of texts such as Howard’s [1], which focus on the community of users rather than on the technology. I recommend this book to undergraduate teachers and educational researchers seeking an overview of the topic and a clear understanding of the breadth of subject matter that encompasses online communication between people.
