Community, Group and Individual: A Framework for Designing Community Technologies

Authors

  • Sheena L. Erete College of Computing and Digital Media DePaul University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15353/joci.v10i1.2671

Keywords:

Social Cohesion, Technology Design, Design Theory

Abstract

In this paper, I draw on sociology a­­­­­­­­­­­­nd urban studies literature to describe a framework with three components that should be considered when designing community technologies: community, group, and individual. I use this framework to discuss current community technologies and describe three best practices vital for the success of community technologies: 1) increasing social cohesion and social capital, 2) engaging small groups of community members, and 3) encouraging participation through interest-based technologies. I use an example of a community technology to illustrate how each of these dimensions can be incorporated into the development of new technologies.

Author Biography

Sheena L. Erete, College of Computing and Digital Media DePaul University

Sheena L. Erete is an assistant professor in the College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University in Chicago, IL, USA. E-mail: serete@cdm.depaul.edu

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Published

2013-11-14

Issue

Section

Research Articles