My how things change! This article was written eight to ten years ago and I it really shows. Socially networking has exploded in the last 5 years. The article in the textbook seems to be looking at social interactions in an online class as a type of social network. According to Wikipedia, "A social network is a social structure made of individuals (or organizations) called "nodes," which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige". In today's world I don't think communication in an online courses in a college course is considered a social network. Online courses often attempt to develop a sense of community, but they are not what I would consider a social network. The article does explain the concept of nodes. The tem nodes is also included in the Wikipedia definition. This just means people or organizations tied together by a social network. It appears the concept of nodes and relations are still viable, it is just funny to me that the examples in the text apply these to online classes rather than to social networks that are in place where participation is not tied to getting a grade.
Social network. (2010, January 27). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 02:03, February 5, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Social_network&oldid=340301206
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