Nurturing Identity in Online Communities: Insights from Dr. Vanessa P. Dennen

The Power of Online Communities in Shaping Identity

In today's digital age, online communities have become integral to how we connect, learn, and develop our sense of self. These virtual spaces offer unique opportunities for personal growth and identity formation, but they also come with challenges that require careful navigation. To gain deeper insights into this fascinating topic, we spoke with Dr. Vanessa P. Dennen, an expert in instructional systems and learning technologies.

Understanding Online Communities

Before delving into the intricacies of how online communities shape our identities, it's crucial to define what we mean by "online communities." Dr. Dennen emphasizes that the term "community" has become somewhat overused, particularly in marketing contexts. She explains:

"Community has become one of the most overused and abused words out there. I think because the word has a feel-good sense about it, you will see it come up in marketing where companies will try to say all of our people who use this product are the whatever product it is community and they're not right."

True online communities, according to Dr. Dennen, are spaces where people with shared interests or experiences come together to discuss, support, and learn from one another. These communities can exist on various platforms, from social media groups to specialized forums and even older technologies like listservs.

The Impact of Online Communities on Identity Formation

One of the most significant ways online communities influence our identities is through the process of self-presentation. When we join a new online space, we're faced with decisions about how to portray ourselves to others. Dr. Dennen highlights several key aspects of this process:

Username Selection

Choosing a username is often the first step in crafting our online identity. Dr. Dennen notes:

"I always find that I have a moment with that. There are all sorts of online spaces that I join where it's appropriate for me to join as myself with my real name, but there are other spaces that I might be joining where it's not necessary or where it doesn't even make sense."

This decision can communicate a lot about how we want to be perceived in a particular community.

Profile Information

The information we choose to share (or withhold) in our profiles also plays a crucial role in shaping our online identities. Dr. Dennen reminds us:

"If you've got a profile to fill out and it's prompting you to put different pieces of information about yourself, you have to decide exactly what you're going to provide for each one."

Each piece of information we share contributes to the overall picture others form of us in the online space.

Visual Representation

The choice of profile picture or avatar is another important aspect of our online identity. Dr. Dennen points out that even the decision not to use a photo communicates something about us:

"Am I going to put a photo up? Will it be a photo of me? Will it be an a picture or Avatar type drawing something else altogether? Am I going to go in the absence of that which also communicates things about my identity?"

Active vs. Passive Engagement in Online Communities

Dr. Dennen emphasizes that there's a significant difference between active and passive participation in online communities, but neither approach is inherently superior. She explains:

"There's absolutely a difference between being an active and a passive participant in a community. But I want to point out that neither is inherently better than the other."

The Value of Passive Participation

Passive participants, often referred to as "lurkers," play an important role in online communities:

• They form the audience for active participants
• They learn vicariously through observing interactions
• They may feel more comfortable or have less time to engage actively

Dr. Dennen notes, "These people who are out there who are not as active, they are hanging in there which means that they're getting something out of it."

The Dynamics of Active Participation

Active participants, on the other hand, develop stronger connections with each other and shape the community's culture. However, this can lead to interesting dynamics when passive participants become active:

"Sometimes when the passive people become active they talk in ways that sound too familiar to the active people... We have these really visceral reactions to each other - oh you're my best friend, I don't know you - and it just challenges the way that we feel about each other."

Navigating Challenges in Online Communities

While online communities offer numerous benefits, they also present challenges that users must navigate carefully. Dr. Dennen highlights several key issues:

Violating Community Norms

Newcomers to a community may inadvertently violate established norms by jumping in too quickly with questions or demands. Dr. Dennen advises:

"When you first join a community, it's important to not just jump in and say 'hey guys I'm here let the party start' but instead follow along and see what the norms of communication are."

Misinformation and Credibility

The open nature of many online communities means that anyone can present themselves as an expert. Dr. Dennen cautions:

"People could pose themselves as experts and if they are posting in the community with a tone that sounds really knowledgeable, authoritative, people could believe them but they could be putting out misinformation."

Balancing Privacy and Connection

Users must carefully consider how much personal information to share in online spaces. Dr. Dennen suggests:

"Think about how you would feel if everybody from your best friend to your worst enemy to your grandmother to your child... saw what you had posted online. If you have discomfort with that, then you need to explore why."

The Future of Online Communities and Educational Spaces

Looking ahead, Dr. Dennen believes that online communities will continue to evolve and play a significant role in our lives:

"What we're going to see in the future is that it's going to continue no matter what the space is. People want to connect with other people who are like them in some way."

She emphasizes the need for greater understanding and respect for how young people use social media and online spaces:

"As adults we're often really dismissive of youth and the things that they are doing in online spaces. We could understand and respect that more and come to understand it, we could probably better support them and better educate them in their early experiences."

Recommendations for Educators and Parents

Dr. Dennen suggests a shift in how we approach online spaces with young people:

• Move away from a "gloom and doom" perspective
• Discuss both the positive and negative aspects of online engagement
• Focus on developing underlying skills for effective online interaction
• Recognize the potential for learning and personal growth in these spaces

She advocates for open dialogue: "Let's talk about how people use this productively in the world to accomplish all manner of goals."

Conclusion: Embracing the Complexity of Online Identity

Online communities offer rich opportunities for personal growth, learning, and connection. By understanding how these spaces shape our identities and learning to navigate them effectively, we can harness their potential while mitigating risks.

Dr. Dennen's insights remind us that our online experiences are complex and multifaceted. Whether we choose to engage actively or passively, each interaction contributes to our evolving sense of self in the digital age.

As we continue to explore and inhabit online spaces, it's crucial to approach them with intention, awareness, and an openness to growth. By doing so, we can create meaningful connections, expand our knowledge, and nurture our identities in ways that enrich both our online and offline lives.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/2I2uf4TCZvI