Online Learning Communities

Online Learning Communities

This week we are studying the significance of online community building in educational settings. Socialization in traditional education settings is not like socialization in an online setting. However, 21^st-century socialization and online communications do have much in common. An online community can offer support, peer interactions, study assistance, and a primary means of communicating with others from all over the world regardless of geographic location. With the tools offered through online mediums, we can see and hear each other as if in the same room and technology is already spreading into allowing feeling and smelling through virtual settings. Just having access to these tools does not guarantee efficient use of them, however. In an educational context how the tools are used is more important than just using them because they are available. Let’s look at what elements are needed for online community building, their impact on education, their sustainability, and the relationship between them and effective online instruction.

What are the essential elements of online community building?

The essential elements of online community building are people, purpose, and community (Laureate Education, 2012).

People – Students, faculty, experts, administration, approved members only.

Purpose – There needs to be a shared sense of purpose that binds the community together.

Process – The methods of interaction available to assist learning and growth.

How do online learning communities significantly impact the learner’s learning and satisfaction with online education?

Online communities function as support groups where learners can assist one another to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts being learned. Online communities also offer more options for those that may have a disability making them ADA compliant (Laureate Education, 2012). Ease of access to assistance and the support of peers encourages learners to keep trying even when they struggle as there are people they can reach out to for help. In online schooling attrition rates are always watched, and it is often the first few classes that assist in determining if a learner stays or leaves. The presence of an online community increases the attrition rates by acting a guides and mentors to the newer or struggling students.

How can online learning communities be sustained?

These online communities can be sustained by always offering their use to new learners so that when others leave there is always a flow of people to help each other. They also need to make use of modern technology in a way that is friendly to experienced and novice users. Using emails to welcome each student personally, even if sent in a batch, gives a feeling of welcome and connectedness. The communities need to be wary of using technology just for the sake of using it. For example, using Twitter for a debate class would become more of a brief argument rather than allowing for detailed discussion simply because of the character length limit. Twitter would be good to use for the instructor and classmates to remind each other of deadlines though or to ask a quick question.

What is the relationship between community building and effective online instruction?

When an instructor and classmates work together to build a community to builds trust, respect, and support. Once trust and respect are established it creates settings where learners feel safe to explore ideas, make mistakes, and push boundaries that can lead to new learning without fear of repercussions such as mockery or inequality. In an online learning community, it is easy for learners to become isolated and feel left out by the very nature of the learning taking place away from the rest of the learners. These feelings of isolation can lead to self-doubt and a loss of confidence as the learning and learner disconnect from the outer world where the learning must be utilized (Laureate Education, 2012).

Conclusion

Taking online classes where the learner just looks at the content of the course with no regard for the community it is a part of only gives part of the benefits of quality learning. Working together, helping one another, and building upon the work of others is an essential component of all education and online is no exception. Because of the lack of physical presence, it is vital to building an online presence by being an active member of the online community. As an educational institute or an instructor it is their job to make sure the community is there and that the learners are aware of it being available. 

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012). Online learning communities. Baltimore, MD: Author.