Background Study: Previous systematic reviews concluded that online professional-learning communities (OPLCs) have positive effects on teachers' development, but explored neither the technological affordances that make this possible nor the potential negative impacts of technology use in OPLCs. Objectives: The aim of this study is to…

Scholars participate in online social networks for professional purposes. In such networks, learning takes the form of participation and identity formation through engagement in and contribution to networked practices. While current literature describes the possible benefits of online participation, empirical research on scholars' use of online…

Discusses the value of collaborative study and describes five undergraduate courses that supported collaborative study practices, four of which used a computer-based conferencing system and one that was paper-based. Highlights include student responses, assessment practices, and tutors' participation style. (LRW)