Before I started the weeks' readings on groups and networks, I tried to define each one to compare and find the differences. They were exactly the same to me. Each of the two require entities of a common interest. Each are able to share ideas through connections. Each allow the participants to connect to one another. George states in his articulate presentation that these two terms "at the core are the same" So, are they? If not then what is the difference?
After the weeks readings I have a better understanding. Seeing Stephens' chart,http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_downes/252157734/sizes/l/in/photostream/, describing the properties of groups and networks, helped me quite a bit.
Groups are closed discussions, the topic is straight and narrow. 'Now let's stay focused or on track", would be a rule, so to speak, of a group. Networks are an open concept where anything can happen. No rules means perspectives and personalities play a big role.
Groups are usually defined in a distributed fashion by an authority eg: radio broadcast or a school classroom. Networks define their logic and understanding through connections within the network.
Here's a thought, what about a family. Two parents and siblings. Are they not a network in which learning occurs through a connective process? The parents are the authority and often the learning is not open. In the confines of a family, standards exist and distributed by the authority. So is a family a group? I suppose in some situations, democracy and negotiations can exist. How would you define the family?
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