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The potential of community building through virtual learning environment has received increasing attention in recent years, yet little empirical research has been conducted in this field in Middle Eastern countries particularly based on a social constructivist approach as in this case.The overarching concern in this research was to see if convergence happens in on-line university discussion forums in a Middle Eastern cultural context, and if so,to explore how it happens and with what strategies it can be supported in such environment. The research addressed the role of collaborative interaction as the process of co-construction of knowledge and identities. The findings of the study show what strategies the participants used in community building.The findings suggest that participants moved their communicative competence from tangible topics towards shaping new beliefs and ideas; creating the V.S.D-Virtual Social Development- model. The research also highlighted many issues for further study, one of which is the various interpretations of the concept of community building in on-line contexts.

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Dr.Dolatabdi has taught Language and Discourse studies in different academic schools in England and Iran.Publishing papers in International journals,he has also presented in many conferences worldwide.His interest is in analysis of the discourse in virtual environments.His contact information is:h_dowlatabadi@yahoo.com/h.r.dowlatabadi@exeter.ac.uk

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