Noting how time management is one of the challenges that teachers face in the contemporary work environment, Beyza highlighted how this issue is exacerbated by the fact that we are nowadays bombarded by a constant stream of information. A consequence of this, noted Beyza, was the increasing prevalence of ‘lurking’.
In Internet culture, a lurker is defined as a member of an online community who has no direct active participation. Lurkers actually make up a large proportion of all users in online communities. The benefits of lurking are that it enables users to learn the conventions of an online community before they actively participate, improving their socialization when they eventually ‘de-lurk’. Nevertheless, a lack of social contact while lurking sometimes causes loneliness or apathy among lurkers. What’s more, Beyza noted, it is believed to hinder learning.
In order to indicate the positives of lurking, Beyza delivered examples of the strategies she has used to foster learning through lurking in online environments.
Adam Simpson for British Council Roving Reporters Team.
Wired In or Out 