This study will attempt to examine the use of virtual learning communities and its impacts on scaffolding provided to diverse learners in informal learning settings. It will also identify complex cultural factors that need to be considered by learners engaged in discussions and suggest the need for a clear understanding of the differences between the constructed identities of individual members. It will demonstrate and evaluate examples of two virtual learning communities where the range of discourses emanating from the cultural divergence of individuals is of considerable significance to the community members in terms of effective learning.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Virtual Learning Community, Informal Learning, Critical Discourse Analysis, Cultural Values
Research Division:	Education
Research Group:	Specialist Studies in Education
Research Field:	Comparative and Cross-Cultural Education
Objective Division:	Education and Training
Objective Group:	Learner and Learning
Objective Field:	Learner and Learning Processes
UTAS Author:	Yang, Y (Dr Yang Yang)
ID Code:	60213
Year Published:	2009
Deposited By:	Education
Deposited On:	2010-01-21
Last Modified:	2014-11-25
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