What are the essential elements of online community building?
According to the video there are three main components of the online learning community: People/Purpose/Process. The people are important because the are the learning body of the course. We create a community by sharing their thoughts and experiences, and we learn from each other. What we also learn is that we are not just empty vessels waiting to be lectured to, but equal participants in our learning experience.
How do online learning communities significantly impact the learner’s learning and satisfaction with online education?
The online experience helps the learner to become self directed. I have learned how to research my own answers to seek out questions that are important to be answered during the course, rather than just answering questions posed to me. I have also learned a lot about myself and my learning styles through reflection excercises which is something that was new to me coming into Walden. The student also becomes more aware of his own "presence" by having a voice in each aspect of the course. The expectation to participate is easier because it's not face-to-face, but challenging because you are learning more and more to express yourself in a way that is intelligent and meaningful to everyone in the class.
How can online learning communities be sustained?
I agree with Dr Pratt that creativity is an essential element of preservation of online learning. As long as the students are kept motivated they will continue to return to this process. Feedback is also very important. Online learning presents the opportunity for students to receive immediate feedback concerning their responses and submissions.
What is the relationship between community building and effective online instruction?
Dr. Pratt makes an excellent point, "Make the classroom warm and inviting." Make sure the course is user friendly. Some adults are already a little intimidated by the online concept, so keeping the terminology simple and concise is helpful. She also suggested things like using "emoticons" to present a sense of humor to the course. In my experience that makes a world of difference between the community of learners wanting to become more or less involved.
Works cited
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012).
Online learning communities. Baltimore, MD: Author
Kathy, online communities is a great way to be engaged in learning. It not only provides an opportunity to interact with fellow students, but you can be introduced to professionals in the field who can offer valuable information not often found in textbooks. Their experiences in the real world can provide insight as to what to expect in the classroom, textbook evaluations or current trends. As educators we must guide them to particpate through interactive activities.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I agree that the students are the community and as you said if the laerning experience is an enjoyable one the community is happy and will want to keep learning. I like too how you said that as educators, we are to guide our students throughout the learning experience. And the better we are at guiding them and helping them to be successful, the better we are at being an educator.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I can relate to your statement that online learners become more self-directed. Surveys that help students assess whether online learning is right for them, usually have a statement about being an independent learner. Personally I don't think a learner can truly understand the meaning of the term, "independent learner," until they take an online course. Adult learners returning to school may have a better appreciation for what it means to be an independent learner, but I think the concept takes time to develop. As mentors and facilitators of online learning, faculty must initially guide students toward independent thinking.
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