Connecting adult learners with an online community: Challenges and opportunities (original) (raw)

A framework for developing and implementing an online learning community

Developing online learning communities is a promising pedagogical approach in online learning contexts for adult tertiary learners but this is no easy task. Understanding how learning communities are formed and evaluating their efficacy in supporting learning involves a complex set of issues that have a bearing on the design and facilitation of successful online learning experiences. This paper describes the development of a framework for understanding and developing an online learning community for adult tertiary learners in a New Zealand tertiary institution. In accord with sociocultural views of learning and practices, the framework depicts learning as a mediated, situated, distributed, goal-directed and participatory activity within a socially and culturally determined learning community. Evidence for the value of the framework is grounded in the findings of a case study of a semester long fully online asynchronous graduate course. The framework informs our understanding of appr...

Designing for online communities of learning

2000

This paper will explore the development of online learning communities among postgraduate students at Deakin University who were studying while working. The main objective of the research project being discussed here was to identify impediments to the development of online communities of learning and to suggest how these may be overcome so that students could benefit from the enhancements that

A student's guide to strengthening an online learning community

TechTrends, 2010

Students usually have plenty of experience with online social technologies, but they lack understanding about how to use these tools and methods for course learning. This article is designed to help college students who are anxious about participating in an online learning community or do not know how to build one effectively. With ideas derived from research and practice, this guide has been written to inform online students about learning communities, the benefits they offer, and how students can assist in building a successful online community.

The Design of Online Learning Communities: Critical Issues

Educational Media International, 2004

In this paper we discuss findings from evaluations we conducted and share lessons we learned as developers of online education during the last 10 years. The purpose is to analyse some of the complexities in the design of online communities for professional development and continuing education. We present STAR-Online (Supporting Teachers with Anywhere/ Anytime Resources), an online community designed and implemented as a model for continuing education and professional development for teachers. This online staff development provides teachers the training, support and communication links necessary for their continued success in the classroom. Teachers can access mentors, colleagues and resources via a web-based Virtual Teaching and Learning Community (VTLC) system. A brief history of the project is presented along with a vision for the future. Practical components of the project and guidelines for those interested in establishing similar initiatives are discussed in detail. Finally, some characteristics of successful online communities and suggestions for practitioners are addressed as they derived from our experiences and evaluation work.

Designing Online Learning Communities

Handbook of Open, Distance and Digital Education, 2022

Higher education course design is moving increasingly toward constructivist, collaborative approaches for higher-order learning. A community-based approach to learning fits both this type of pedagogy and preferred learning outcomes related to critical thinking and metacognition. This is particularly necessary when moving such learning online, and the need for a community is even more important for engagement and motivation than in-person learning, where community and connection is often created organically. Online learning communities can be effectively created using the community of inquiry theoretical framework, as it intentionally makes space for learners to express their teaching, social, and cognitive presences. To support the design of effective online learning experiences, how each presence fits into the constructivist and inquiry-based approaches is explained in this chapter. As well, applications are suggested. Finally, assessment approaches are provided that are in line wi...

Key Concepts in the Landscape of Online Learning Communities

The aim of this Paper is to explore the key concepts in the conceptual landscape of Online Learning Communities. At ULTRALAB, a research and development unit of Anglia Polytechnic University, we have a wide experience in this field, having been involved in it for over 15 years. Our major recent projects have included: Talking Heads, an online community for 12,000+ head teachers; Virtual Heads, an online community programme for professional development - mandatory for aspiring head teachers; Strategic Leadership in ICT (SLICT), an online community development programme for head teachers; ULTRALAB Learning, a professional development online community for 100+ educationalists; Ultraversity, an online community of 400+ undergraduate work place degree learners and ULTRALAB itself, a working environment for 80+ colleagues, three-quarters of whom are remotely located. I will combine our findings from these research projects with a look at the broad literature in this area, identifying the Key Concepts in so doing. Finally I will look at the inter-relationship between these concepts and note the emerging themes.

Exploring the development of learning communities in online settings

2002

Abstract This paper discusses the notion of community as an outcome of working within an online environment. In particular, the paper explores the concept of users' development of a sense of community as an outcome of working within an online environment designed to support the professional and personal development of its users.

Designing For Online Learning Communities

This paper investigates the development of sense of community among learners engaging in online learning where the principles of collaborative learning are considered key instructional strategies. In particular this paper explores the development of learner's sense of community as an outcome of engaging in instructor initiated activities that are intended to promote community development. The paper discusses design principles for the development of sense of community identified in contemporary literature. In addition it ...

Utilizing Online Learning Communities in Student Affairs

In this chapter, the authors will expand upon the definition of learning communities, discussing the ways in which this concept has changed and adapted through the incorporation/infusion of web-based technologies. In addition, strategies on how to create and use online learning communities both with students and for professional practice will be shared.