Motivation and skill acquisition in an online amateur multimedia community: a case study

Abstract

Both the amount of multimedia content and the venues for sharing such content have been steadily increasing, yet not much is known about what motivated, inspired, and helped the content creators to create their artifacts. Using participant observation, web content analysis, and interviews, this case study focuses on one online amateur multimedia community and the animators therein. In particular, it addresses questions concerning 1) one’s motivation to join and create animations in that community, and 2) how one acquires the skills necessary to create animations and participate in the community. Having a better understanding of motivation and skill acquisition in this informal, online setting can provide insight on ways to improve and support the learning processes and environments in other online communities, more formal arenas like classrooms and workplaces, and in other informal settings such as structured after-school programs.