edc’bund’MOOC

Bell (p.107) appears to be in agreement with Kevin Hetherington’s suggestion that ‘community’ is an outdated vague term, and that perhaps we should revisit the erstwhile sociological notion of Bund. Hetherington notes Freund’s (unenthusiastic) view of Bund as ‘a place for the expression of enthusiasms, of ferment, of unusual doings’. Bell, furthermore, suggests that this notion may be useful to describe  online life and will help to circumnavigate the binary arguments about virtual communities. He adds further descriptors: elective grouping; affective and emotional solidarity; strong sense of belonging; charismatic governance (leader or collective).

So, does the edcMOOC fulfill these criteria? Let’s take a quick and dirty look!!

…ENTHUSIASMS/ELECTIVE GROUPINGS 

From all over the world!

…FERMENT

Sian’s challenge to the sentimental campus

…AFFECTIVE AND EMOTIONAL SOLIDARITY

@elpezflaco thanks very much, the RTs from the inspiring #edcmooc community made my day. i hope ur enjoying the course

— Ed Guzman (@emberday) February 26, 2013

…STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING

#edcmooc interesting course.My type of world.I love it.

— eM Yulin (@eMcrypt) February 22, 2013

…CHARISMATIC GOVERNANCE

Check out our charismatic cyberpunk leaders (all of them appearing to be jacked in to the MOOC uploading their consciousness via white headphone/mic combos ).

…UNUSUAL DOINGS 

Many, many (fabulous) unusual doings. Here, here and here  for instance.

Conclusion: Criteria fulfilled