Showing and Telling: Response Dynamics in an Online Community of Makers

Abstract

Online communities are an important learning resource across domains. For learners in Makers, Making, and 3D printing online communities are vital as most knowledge sharing and problem-solving occurs online. In this study, we examine one online Maker community called SoliForum to better understand how an emphasis on producing physical objects shapes online interaction. Specifically, we investigate what kinds of messages elicit useful responses for those seeking help. We found that, compared to posts that contained only text, posts that contained media elements such as images and videos had a higher response rate and more resolved problems. Based on our analysis we attribute this to the more descriptive and explanatory power of multimedia elements and their ability to represent physical objects. The findings suggest that guidance for crafting messages using multimedia can lead to more equitable participation and learning in online Maker communities.