Share Paper: Exploring the Use of Social Networking Tools to Support a Community of Practice in China

  1. Roxanne Russell, India, China & America Institute, United States
  2. David Stone, Southern Polytechnic State University, United States
  3. Qi Wang, Georgia State University, United States
  4. Xiaoxue Wang, Georgia State University, United States

Abstract: This virtual session presents experiences from the early stage of a collaboration to incorporate social networking tools into a nationwide conservation-education professional development program in the People’s Republic of China. Prior to the launch of a joint-initiative with US educators in this conservation-education profession in 2006, no professional development program existed for this group of Chinese professionals. US and Chinese members of this joint-initiative invited the authors of this paper, instructional technology researchers and practitioners, to assist with their efforts to offer social networking tools in support of building and maintaining a community of practice among these professionals. From a ...