RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: Building Community
Building community in the online environment can be more challenging than doing so in a face-to-face environment, but is equally as critical to the success of the course.
Let's ask experienced eLearning faculty – how do they build community?
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"Be present."
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"Be open to new technology tools, but use them in moderation."
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"Building a sense of shared understanding, knowledge of one another, and mutual support, even if values are not shared, are elements of community. The goal of community in an online course is twofold:
No amount of technical correctness and special effects can take the place of an online instructor’s personality. The more your students "see" you in class—in discussions, chats, class-wide and individual postings, comments on assignments—the more excited they will be about the course. You are there not only to motivate them, but also to answer their many questions, to provide guidance, and to give feedback. So be in the class often—it really helps your students enjoy the online learning experience!
- building knowledge and competencies within learners
- building a network of mutual respect and sharing of ideas and perspectives."
No amount of technical correctness and special effects can take the place of an online instructor’s personality. The more your students "see" you in class—in discussions, chats, class-wide and individual postings, comments on assignments—the more excited they will be about the course. You are there not only to motivate them, but also to answer their many questions, to provide guidance, and to give feedback. So be in the class often—it really helps your students enjoy the online learning experience!
RESOURCE BOOK REFLECTION QUESTION (p.41):
“What are the ways you think you can use to personalize your course?”
“What are the ways you think you can use to personalize your course?”