Building On-line Learning Communities

As you know, I'm personally exploring Web 2.0 with you. I recognize that I need a new theoretical approach to teaching and learning (pedagogy) if I am to make serious use of Web 2.0 in my classes.

I've come across some interesting ideas by a Canadian educator, Konrad Glogowski, especially his idea of classrooms as third places. Here's a presentation he gave that describes his approach to creating third places for learning:




It's a long presentation, but if you watched it all, then I think you'll see that we in this class have been intuitively following some of the guidelines for creating an inviting learning space. Well, at least I think it's inviting. Some of you may disagree, and if you do, then please blog about it. I need to hear from you.

Anyway, Glogowski follows the work of American urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg in describing third places as:

• informal public places where people can gather & interact;
• places that host the regular, voluntary, informal, & happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home & work; &
• pubs, cafés, coffeehouses, piazzas, squares, etc.
  

I'll explore this concept of third places more as we go along, but for now a simple question: can a class become a third place, either on-line or in reality, or perhaps both? Why can't class be a coffeehouse, either in real life or in Second Life?