Facilitating participation: From the EML web site to the Learning Network for Learning Design

This article investigates conditions for increasing active participation in on-line communities. As a case study, we use three generations of facilities designed to promote learning in the area of Educational Modelling Languages. Following a description of early experience with a conventional web site and with a community site offering facilities for collaboration, we describe a pilot implementation of a Learning Network. Preliminary participation data (both passive and active) is reported, together with lessons learned while setting up the pilot. Early experiences reveal that clear policies, usability and reward systems are of importance when facilitating a Learning Network. Our ‘‘lessons learned’’ are phrased in terms of recommendations which will be used to guide subsequent Learning Network implementations.