Learning Together "There"-Hybrid "Place" as a Conceptual Vantage Point for Understanding Virtual Learning Communities in Higher Education Context

This article examines the concept of virtual learning community as a hybrid learning place. It is argued that a hybrid place experience could provide a conceptual vantage point to better understand the origins of virtual learning communities in higher education context. With some empirical observations it is demonstrated what may constitute students’ experiences of hybridity during a web-based university course. It suggested that the research on learning places should include not only virtual but also physical environments, with individuallyfocused ways. Finally, the role and the challenges of educational design in optimising resources for virtual learning communities to develop are discussed.