Online Learning Communities
The essential elements of online community building
are as stated by Drs. Palloff and Pratt are the people, purpose and process (Laureate
Education, 2012). The people would be students and teachers. The teacher is the
facilitator that guide the students in the needed direction. Dr. Pratt stated
that the teacher is looked at as the side guiding person, not as the main focus
of the classroom (Laureate Education, 2012). The class is allow to share their
thoughts and opinions in a constructive and respectful manner. This allows all
students the chance to interact with each other in a community type environment.
Online learning
can be a positive force because it gives the student a chance to collect their
thoughts and give clear and concise information to assist the entire class
community. Students are able to share their thoughts that will identify
differences and likes of the subject matter.
The online community can be sustained by allowing
students to feel comfortable and valued as a contributor to the learning
community. The student should feel this is a safe environment and treated with
respect from his or her peers as well as the teacher.
Community building will allow students to share
information from a diverse viewpoint. The diversity in the online community
will allow student to develop a tool to improve student’s participation rate in
the community of online learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). Online
Learning Communities. Baltimore MD;Author.
Hi, Dotsy. I agree with you that it is important in an online community that students feel as though they have as much to contribute as the instructor of the course. I know if I am in an environment where I feel my input is valued and useful to the group, I am more likely to share. That positive and collaborative environment must begin from Day 1 and be established by the instructor. We are all adults with varying backgrounds and we all have something to contribute to the class, no matter how big or small we may feel that contribution is. By not allowing for and encouraging such an environment, the entire class is missing out at a large disservice is being done to each and every member of the class.
ReplyDeleteDotsy,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you addressed the value and benefit of time for an online textual dialogue. I feel that the discussion boards are often more detailed and thought out then if I were sitting in a classroom participating in an oral discussion. I know that I benefit from being able to refer to other people's sources.
Conrad and Donaldson (2011) emphasize that "humans do not learn in a vacuum but rather through interaction" (p. 2). I know that the interactions we have as students have helped me tremendously in my learning and understanding of new content. I feel that this is partially due to being exposed to different perspectives that are influenced by different background experiences, so I also appreciate the importance you placed on the strength of diversity.
References
Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A. (2011). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative instruction (Updated ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Angie Woodring
To Dotsy,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the instructor is not the focus of the class. The instructor is present only as a facilitator. However, the instructor must be present in the class for students know that there is someone who is holding them accountable for learning. The instructor sets up the learning environment so students can create their own learning. Conrad and Donaldson (2011) agrees that it is important for the learner to be actively engaged and "who assume responsibility for constructing and managing their own learning experience" (p. 5).
Reference
Conrad, R., & Donaldson, J. A. (2011). Engaging the online learner: Activities and resources for creative instruction (Updated ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.