Over the last few years, the number of
postsecondary institutions offering distance education courses has grown
tremendously. For example, in 2003, 81%
of all institutions of higher education offered at least one fully online or
hybrid course, up 25% from 2000-2001.
How do online learning communities significantly impact both student
learning and satisfaction within online courses?
They essentially create an environment
where the amount of learning is limitless.
Their involvement directly impacts the satisfaction of the course. They have to be learning professionals and
take active roles in their learning.
What are the essential elements of online community building?
- Environment/area for interaction
- Resource lists (i.e. videos, articles, reference material)
- Effective facilitation
- Initial/follow-on questions
- Accessibility
- SCORM compliance
- Help desk support
Problem based learning scenarios that
will contribute to interaction and collaboration.
http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/761/building-an-online-learning-community
How can online learning communities be sustained?
Continuous program improvement, they have to ensure
the material stay relevant.
Technology that continues to support the course
delivery.
- Promotes collaboration which increases the satisfaction of the course
- Reinforces learning through self reflection
- Promote self directed learning
- Create a social presence atmosphere/environment
http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/761/building-an-online-learning-community
References:
Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A. (2011). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative instruction (Updated ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2010). Evaluating distance learning theory [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Laureate Education (Producer). (2010). Online learning communities [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
I would like to add the following objectives I find particularly important to community building:
ReplyDelete• “To create opportunities for interaction and communication between students and their instructor
• To provide skill practice in both technology use and human interface in a Web-based environment
• To emphasize application of course concepts to the students' real-world situations
• To increase opportunities for synchronous activities
• To set student expectations (Lynch, 2001)”
Reference
Lynch, M. (2001). Effective student preparation for online learning. The Technology Source, 6, from http://www.technologysource.org/article/100/
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I enjoyed visiting your blog site, and I loved your inclusion of the graphics to illustrate community building. Thank you for a very good first week assignment post!
ReplyDeleteCeleste Fenton