How do online learning communities
significantly impact both student learning and satisfaction within online
courses?
Through the use of forums, sharing
of sites and information through links and blogging and an adequate amount of
sharing experiences and responses online to peers and other members of the
online community. The more knowledge and questions that are shared, the more
experiences and feedback that can be provided and reflect each students
different mindset or opinion on whatever the subject matter may be.
What are the essential elements of
online community building?
Experience in using social
networks, useful and accessible forms of media and tools. The opportunity to
participate in forums and discussion sites. A form of assistance or help desk
for those that may be new to the field of online learning. Having an open mind
to the various opinions of others, since the online world is literally a world
of its own.
How can online learning
communities be sustained?
Through applying new and old
technological aspects to the communities at hand so that anyone that chooses to
participate in it may have experience in some parts of the tasks suggested and
at the same time, provide an opportunity for them to learn about new
technologies. By providing students and facilitators with time constraints so
that there can be completed tasks without delaying other tasks.
What is the relationship between
community building and effective online instruction?
The relationship is in allowing the participants to have an opportunity
to shared and learn from personal experiences on particular subject matters
that are within a common range within the online forum. "Online
facilitators set the stage for power sharing to occur in the way they approach
learners and provide feedback." (Boettcher &
Conrad, 2010, p. 13) In having a mentor or facilitator, this allows the participants and
students with the space and opportunity to share their insight while engaging
with and respecting others.
Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A.
(2011). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative
instruction (Updated ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Izzi,
ReplyDeleteYou make an important point about "applying new and old technological aspects to the communities at hand so that anyone that chooses to participate in it may have experience in some parts of the tasks suggested and at the same time, provide an opportunity for them to learn about new technologies." As tech-heavy as the world is becoming, not everyone is familiar with technology specific to online learning. IDs and facilitators need to bridge any gaps so that all learners have equal opportunities for development.
Sally