One of my research interests is cooperation in human societies: how it comes to exist, when and how it breaks down, and how to leverage it within the context of education. Of late, I've been looking at some of the structures of place that are intertwined with the functioning of cooperation, and how those structures translate into the online world. In particular, I've been interested in how "third places" are constructed in the online world, and how they connect to educational institutions.
I have uploaded the slides and audio for a talk I gave on this subject at the 2006 NMC Regional Conference. I will be interested to hear all feedback and comments that people might have, as well as links to relevant research.