ONLINE COMMUNITY BUILDING

 

Creating a community of learners is key to the success of an online educational environment. The three essential elements of an online community are:

1.)   People- there must be a group of learners who can develop a sense of who the other is

2.)   Purpose- the group of learners needs to have a similar reason for being there (goals)

3.)   Process- how is the learning accomplished? (learner to learner engagement, co-created knowledge, collaborative activities)

Adult learners who have a background of traditional learning environments are especially prone to feeling isolated and disconnected in an online environment. Traditional learning techniques do not work in an online environment; therefore building community counteracts this tendency to isolation and engages all learners (and the instructor) in the educational process. The instructor is involved on an equal level, as all participate in co-creating knowledge. In an online community, learners feel like a part of something larger, outcomes are stronger, and there is social pressure to succeed, as well as social/peer support in learning.

            Sustaining online communities begins before the class does. An instructor might send out welcome emails to students and/or there may be an online orientation available that is encouraged to review. Learners must be enculturated into the community. This may begin by using an icebreaker or introduction post which other students are encouraged to respond to and acknowledge. The instructor should be familiar with the technology used in the course and should have a frequent presence, especially in the first two weeks. Improved instructor presence improves attrition rates. The instructor and the Learning Management System design should convey a sense of warmth and be easy to navigate. More complex forms of technological involvement should be introduced slowly, especially with adult online learners.

            Adult learners do not have the advantage of a lifetime of experience with today’s technology. Many adults are returning to school many years after their most recent educational experience. Online learning in general and technology in specific may be very foreign and overwhelming. Creating an online community where learners can interact and learn not only from the instructor, but also from peers who may have very similar situations or stories, improves educational outcomes and student satisfaction. Online communities create a holistic approach to education, whereby each member of the community is both a learner and an instructor. This investment into the group and the process creates improved outcomes and increase social presence. This then improves educational success and personal well-being, which promotes continued educational pursuit in the attainment of personal, professional, and educational goals.