5 Ways to Successfully Build an Online Learning Community

The beauty of online learning communities is how it taps into our long-held memories and beliefs about what learning should be — a shared activity in which the members of the group all contribute, collaborate, and consume the same content together at the same time. Students encourage each other through both a spirit of togetherness as well as of competition and hold themselves and others accountable. There is easy access to the instructor, and communication flows freely. This is our experience with learning from grade school to grad school.

When creating an online learning community, it’s important to lead with a collaborative mindset, fostering a sense of shared experience amongst a cohort of students. Here are some best practices to make sure your learners feel both welcomed and confident that they’ll find success in your online learning community.

1. Start with an Introductory Week (Week 0)

Many courses on NovoEd start with an introductory week, where learners aren’t expected to engage with content right away.  Instead, they are asked to “onboard” through reflecting on their own learning experiences and developing an online identity. Tasks such as completing a reflective survey and completing their profile give your learners an early sense of both belonging and accomplishment. Additionally, it’s a chance for your learners to learn how to navigate and successfully use the environment.

2. Use an Introductory Discussion

In an unfamiliar environment with unknown classmates, it may be difficult for learners to initially speak up and present their ideas.  Instead of beginning discussions with a controversial topic, the first discussion should be introductory, where learners are asked to share a bit about themselves and their goals for the course.  This practice results not only in revealing the online learning community to itself, but also gives learners a relatively risk-free opportunity to speak up in a public space, creating a stronger sense of confidence in sharing ideas using this new online medium.

3. Use Custom Profile Questions to Facilitate Reflection and Connections

Spark meaningful self-assessment and discussion by asking learners content-specific questions pertaining to your course topic. Asking things like “what is your level of confidence with the concept of _____” or “Rate on a scale of novice to expert your knowledge about _____”.  This gives your learners a chance to reflect on their skills and assures them that they’re not expected to know everything. When profiles are public for everyone’s viewing, learners with similar levels of skill sets can engage with each other for support, or seek out more experienced classmates for advice.

4. Set Clear Expectations

In the same way I learned how to get an A in spelling (a score of 90%), let your learners know what is required for successfully completing your course.  Tell them what the expected workload may look like as well as what strategies they may use to allot time to complete their coursework. More information provided upfront will mitigate participants dropping out due to poorly managed expectations, and will boost learners’ self-sufficiency in the course.

5. Share Yourself with the Community

In an online setting, showcase the best parts of your personality by sharing your personal stories and insights early on. Your learners will develop a sense of connection not only with their classmates but with you as an instructor or facilitator. Post frequently to the discussions and comment on your learners’ posts to increase engagement and course adoption.  The more time you invest in your learners, the more they’ll invest in your course.

Looking to build successful online learning communities at your own organization? Connect with us today to request a demo and experience NovoEd’s collaborative learning platform firsthand. Request a Demo