As for group dynamics and belongingness, I believe that online discussions have these characteristics – in buckets. For example, one online group I belong to is The Voyageurs, which are the supporters of the Canadian mens national soccer team. Many of these people have never met, but the forums are a hugely lively place with plenty of group dynamics (both positive and negative). And there is a huge sense of belonging hinging on the fact that we all have a common interest – soccer in Canada. When I first started hanging out in those forums, I lurked for the better part of a year before I felt compelled to jump in and make my first post. But in that year, I didn't feel like an outsider. In fact, my lurking taught me a great deal about the dynamics of the forum, how it worked, who were the people and what the etiquette of the forum was. In short, while lurking I was forming a sense of what the social expectations for participation were for posting members.

Thank you so much for your participation this past week. You were a brilliant host for the discussion and your willingness to comment and carry the conversation forward on your blog was greatly appreciated. With your help we had a very succesful week and, I think, we able to demonstrate the value of networked learning.

Deb, Jo, Bao, and Riya are each at home on-line reading a forum that discusses learning styles. Deb, Jo, and Bao all post some comments. All four reflect on the postings and some more dialogue ensues. However Riya does not post. Deb, noticing Riya is on-line, opens a chat session and the two of them discuss the forum. At some point Riya may post to the forum or she may be satisfied to have read the forum and chatted with Deb.

My point: the on-line environment does not embody the face-to-face interactions, social expectations, visual cues, group dynamics, or belongingness. Am I really a part of this forum’s conversation? I am not receiving any tactile feedback, or encouraging glances. As a self-confessed lurker I am not compelled to jump into a forum and express my thoughts while in-person I am more compelled, primarily by social awareness, to respond and participate.

I think this gets back to a point Jamie makes in her reply to Steve around the language used to describe these behaviours is important. Listener doesn't sound as negative as lurker.

They can help to summarise the whole discussion. But, there's a tendency – especialyl at the start, to assume they're lurking, not listening.