Blog Assingment: Online Learning Communities Link

People
X
Purpose X
Process X

Blog Assignment: Online Learning Communities

How do online learning communities significantly impact both student learning and satisfaction within online courses?


Student learning: The class focus is no longer on the Instructor, but on the student. The Instructor now becomes a Facilitator of the course. The Facilitator acts a guide, they hold the key to how the class is run, keep the class safe, provide support, and assess student work.


Student Satisfaction: The student in this instance is labeled a professional participant. The student takes an active role in their learning process. They continuously reflect on the learning process, therefore, causing a deeper learning perception and increased self-direction. Scholar practice goes hand in hand with social constructivist, engaging the student, and figuring out the meaning.


What are the essential elements of online community building?


People: The student accomplishes their social presence online when they interact and connect with their colleagues and Facilitators.


Purpose: This is when the student comes together for their class. They follow specific guidelines answering the following questions: how often will the class meet, and Facilitator expectations and grading criteria for assignments.


Process: This has to do with the delivery of the class. Some courses may be labeled fully online or blended (hybrid).


How can online learning communities be sustained?



Reaching Out: Many students who took the traditional sit down class before the concept of online courses are now coming back to obtain their graduate degrees. These students may feel isolated, by college administration, advisors, and/or facilitators reaching to each student during the first couple of weeks of class. During the first couple of weeks of the class is essentially when a student drops or goes on.


Mandatory New Student Orientation: As I stated above, many of the graduate students took classes before the concept of online was available. All students, young and old should go through an intense new student orientation class, this way this would enable the student to determine if online is the right choice for them or not.


Facilitator Presence: The facilitator sets the tone for the class. For instance, if the facilitator decided to not answer e-mails or questions promptly, make their presence known from time to time through the discussion boards, or vanished without for days without communication then this would certainly contribute to low sustainability.


Responsibility: Each class member and facilitator is charged with equal responsibility. If one fails to take ownership of responsibility then sustainability will fail.


Miscellaneous Items to Consider: The facilitator keeps the course environment safe, they provide a safety net. Any breakdown of the facilitator’s role contributes to sustainability, for instance, no assessments are being performed to indicate to the student how they are faring, or students not receiving any support.


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

Community building encompasses everything pertaining to the delivery of online instruction as discussed above. Community building involves a 100% responsibility from the student and the facilitator that ranges from interaction, communication, and social presence just to name a few. If just one facet of community building is not being met satisfactorily then online instruction is not effective.

References:


Palloff, R., & Pratt, K. (2011). Online Learning Communities [Video]. Laureate Education.