Tutorial Six: The internet and online community

http://www.facebook.com/pages/PGL/10259809687?ref=mf

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/11251?h=shb

Both of these communities have one thing in common, they are both aimed at helping people and rely on the support of travelers and volunteers to ensure the organization runs smoothly.
The Tabitha Foundation is a NPO that assits people of Cambodia when able bodied travelers go to Cambodia and assist with building houses for the poor and people that have been affected by land mines. PGL is an adventure camp in the UK which provides a facility that children can come to for respite care, school trips and school holidays to build and gain confidence and try risk taking activities that they would not otherwise get the opportunity to participate in.

What services are provided? How interactive is this site? How can people contribute?
The online community for the Tabitha Foundation provides and informative community that people can join to donate money, offer support, or communite with loved ones whilst they are in Cambodia and inform them of the charity work they are contributing towards.
The online community of PGL provides a site for pas and present staff that are working at PGL to keep in touch and share stories of experiences had, along with being able to organize meetings.
Both of these sites can be described as very interactive, and others can contribute by asking questions and getting involved.

Consider material presented during the lecture and make comment on why people choose to contribute to this community . What is it they are seeking?

For the two communities that I have mentioned above I feel that people choose to contribute to these communities to gain a sense of affiliation and to be able to network and keep in touch with people all over the world and that they would not otherwise be able to keep in touch with it. The positives of online communities is that it is fast and readily available to wide range of people.

Cut and paste an example of the type of topics being discussed.
On the Tabitha Foundation site pictures are being posted of pre existing houses in Cambodia and comments made around the fact that they are shacks. But this is better than nothing!
On the PGL web site discussion is being had with people that are already starting there training at Boreatton Park in the UK before they disembark to the adventure camps. They are also sharing past and current experiences they are having.

Considering material being presented during the course and make comment on the potential ethical issues that may arise in this community.
Any person can use these sites and could join up whether they have been apart of these organizations or not. Due to the lack of identity associated with it allows for the problems such as online predators and not being protected. Due to being able to join through facebook you do have the opportunity to decline friends and protect yourself if you do not know the person you are talking to.

Consider material presented during the lecture and make comment on the benefits this community holds over traditional notions of community.
That no matter wherever you are in the world you can log on and talk to the other members of the community and see what they are up to. The feeling that you can look at there pictures and video and still feel that you are close by to them and not missing out on much of there life.

Consider material presented during the lecture and make comment what this community lacks or can not provide which traditional communities can?
Social interaction in a physical situation. Honesty and being able to meet a person and take them for face value as you may not ever get this opportunity. Developing trust, rapport and making a 1st impression, with a person by having the first initial meeting.