Online Course = Online Community?

[see:Whittington and Dewar (2000) and Dewar & Whittington (2000)]

Two papers by Whittington/Dewar quote other folk who suggest the importance of the sociological aspects and interpersonal side of distance education. I am wondering if we should think of our online courses as online communities... in the sense that they are not just places to learn the material but places which cater for the differing needs (as per personality type) of the learners? I know that this has been said before... but I'd like to emphasise the community part of the online course.

[tag: community]