How do online learning communities significantly impact both student learning and satisfaction within online courses?
Online learning communities are the backbone of online learning, in my opinion. These communities form a network of students/teachers involved in similar projects and as such they allow students to interact and discuss related class topics with other students who are concurrently working on similar projects, etc. In this way I feel that this sort of set up can greatly enhance student learning, which will help student grades and retention and thus these two things will go hand-in-hand with ensuring that students are satisfied with the level of education that they are receiving as well as with communication between the teacher and with other students as well. So in turn all these things come together to benefit all students and teachers in an online community as the course of a semester progresses.
What are the essential elements of online community building?
First and foremost is communication within the community; without proper community communication things can get fragmented and thus become less enjoyable and useful for many members of the community. There should also be more than one method of communication available so as to allow community members to communicate effectively.
Secondly, the online community must be functionable. Programs that are easily navigable and that are user friendly, to an extent, should be chosen so as to make certain that all students are capable of being successful in said course.
Finally, all members of the online community must be made to feel like they are parrt of the group. This will allow for better, open communication and discussion as the semester wears on.
How can online learning communities be sustained? They can be sustained by updating and upgrading software so as to ensure that everything is up-to-date and also they must be managed-grades must be posted, e-mails, BB messages, and other correspondence must be answered on a regular time table, and all this must be done in a way that is set up early in a semester so as students/teachers know what to expect and thus they are satisfied and continue to participate because they can see the advantages of doing so.
What is the relationship between community building and effective online instruction? They go hand-in-hand. In my opinion, one does not really work without the other and vice versa. One is rather heavily predicated by the second, as it should be. Without this seamless transition from one to the other a program's problems stick out, rather than its successes.
Online learning communities are the backbone of online learning, in my opinion. These communities form a network of students/teachers involved in similar projects and as such they allow students to interact and discuss related class topics with other students who are concurrently working on similar projects, etc. In this way I feel that this sort of set up can greatly enhance student learning, which will help student grades and retention and thus these two things will go hand-in-hand with ensuring that students are satisfied with the level of education that they are receiving as well as with communication between the teacher and with other students as well. So in turn all these things come together to benefit all students and teachers in an online community as the course of a semester progresses.
What are the essential elements of online community building?
First and foremost is communication within the community; without proper community communication things can get fragmented and thus become less enjoyable and useful for many members of the community. There should also be more than one method of communication available so as to allow community members to communicate effectively.
Secondly, the online community must be functionable. Programs that are easily navigable and that are user friendly, to an extent, should be chosen so as to make certain that all students are capable of being successful in said course.
Finally, all members of the online community must be made to feel like they are parrt of the group. This will allow for better, open communication and discussion as the semester wears on.
How can online learning communities be sustained? They can be sustained by updating and upgrading software so as to ensure that everything is up-to-date and also they must be managed-grades must be posted, e-mails, BB messages, and other correspondence must be answered on a regular time table, and all this must be done in a way that is set up early in a semester so as students/teachers know what to expect and thus they are satisfied and continue to participate because they can see the advantages of doing so.
What is the relationship between community building and effective online instruction? They go hand-in-hand. In my opinion, one does not really work without the other and vice versa. One is rather heavily predicated by the second, as it should be. Without this seamless transition from one to the other a program's problems stick out, rather than its successes.
Hi Wes,
ReplyDeleteFirst, I am going to follow your blog this class.
Second, I like how you mention that in order to have a successful online learning community, there must be more than one way to communicate. I would definitely agree with you on that. At Walden we have tons of communication available to us, and I think that has come in handy plenty of time throughout the degree program. I know when we had to complete a group project; Skype was a great way to communicate with each other.
Nice post,
Serena
Wes nice to see you again,
ReplyDeleteI will be following your blog for this course.
Additionally, I agree that online learning communities are only benefital when the environment for communication is established early and all timelines are adheared to in a timely manner.
I have a webbased learing evironment that I use with my students. It aides in locating resources for each unit. I have wikis of various calculation simulators they can use as tutorial aides. Their favorite part are the linkds to games that are related the unit. Even high school students appretiate the fun of a online game to reinforce skills.
Great Post,
Crsystal A.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Wes,
ReplyDeleteI am subscribing to your blog. Looking forward to following you.
Karen
Hello Wes,
ReplyDeleteI will be following your blogging this course - I'm sure we will all have fun learning together.
Andrea
Hello Wes,
ReplyDeleteFirst, I will also be following your blog and look forward to our interactions during this course.
Secondly, you make some good points in your blog. I agree that communication within the community is one major aspect in helping is succeed. I also think that another big aspect is the facilitator and them showing the learners they are involved in this class and there for support. The video from Palloff and Pratt discussed that the facilitator needs to be heavily involved during the first 2 weeks of the course to show an example to the students in how participation works in discussion boards and to show support because the learners are more likely to stay engaged knowing they will be supported. I know when I am in an online course, I like seeing the facilitator be a big part of it because we aren't able to see them in person and I just feel as though they care just as much as they would if it were a face-to-face environment. The worst part of online learning is feeling as though there isn't any support.
Thanks,
Teri
References
Palloff, R., and Pratt, K. Online Learning Communities. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved March 2, 2011, from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4894963&Survey=1&47=6260654&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Wes, I have decided to add your blog to my RSS feed list and comment. Congratulations on your big win over Duke. I am sure that was "sweet" for you guys! Oh yes, back to work!
ReplyDeleteI agree that online learning communities are the backbone of online learning as well as rapidly becoming the supporting structure of traditional learning. If I need to find some piece of information fast, am I going to go to a hard copy? Of course not, I am going to use Google search or similar internet search engine.
I also liked your position on technology “the online community must be functional. Programs that are easily navigable and that are user friendly, to an extent, should be chosen…” We need to use technology, but only if it is understandable to the learning audience, and if it contributes to the intended learning outcome! Thanks…