The Impact of Online Learning Communities

 

               Currently, I am enrolled in Online Instructional Strategies, which is an online course that I am taking for the accomplishment of my MS in Instructional Design and Technology. We will study and write about strategies that well help the instructors and students accomplish their learning goals.  

                Online learning communities impact student learning and satisfaction by properly engaging students who have come together for an opportunity to learn and explore new knowledge (Laureate, Inc., n.d.).  The instructor's responsibility is to engage the students in the first two weeks of the course to prevent attrition in the classes. The engagement can take place in several ways, but according to Doctors Palloff and Pratt, the most effective way is by the instructor making himself known to the adult learners,  and encouraging the learners to feel  comfortable in the course.  If the facilitator notices that there are students who are not responding to course information posted within the first two weeks, the  instructor should reach out to these students and  'grab' them before they are lost (laureate, Inc.., n.d.). The initial two weeks are a critical period, where the students unite or leave the online course.

                The essential elements of online community  building include (a.) the people who are willing to attend the online community, (b.) the purpose of the people who join the community; why they have come together, and (c.) the process, which involves the way the students are engaged in learning. The social presence of the adult learners and the instructor has proven to be important also. The people in the online community need to know that there are other people who share the same objectives and goals that they do.  It is beneficial to the online community's success if the instructor assures his social presence as well, so that the learner are ensured that there is a human being who will monitor their work and be available for assistance if needed.

                When the instructors are dedicated to sustaining a successful learning community that will include effective online learning, he/she will engage the learners within the first two weeks by not only establishing a presence, but  also by assisting in the design of the course management site.  The site should be set up for ease in navigating from one place to another.  Only simple technology should be introduced in the beginning of the course. If additional technology adds to the outcome of the lesson, then it should be included later in the learning.  However, instructors should be prepared to assist learners who may struggle with the technology addition (Laureate, Inc. n.d.).

                The online learning community should ensure  that a learner to learner engagement exists so that the adult learners can learn from each other. The adult learner needs to communicate and share learning experiences with one-another, resulting in new learning outcomes.

                It is important that the learners are transformed from their  learning experiences, and have the perception of a deeper and a more self-directed learning experience when they complete their course, preparing them for the next class.

 Reference:

Laureate, Inc. (n.d.). Online learning communities. Retrieved from www.waldenu.edu.