What is a Community of Learners?
Watch these 13 minutes video on the experience of a seasoned teacher Mr. Jordan McFarlen on TEDx Talks, on building a community of learners then engage in the discussion that follow:
This video summarizes the following research article: vanOostveen, R., DiGiuseppe, M., Barber, W., Blayone, T., & Childs, E. (2016). New conceptions for digital technology sandboxes: Developing a Fully Online Learning Communities (FOLC) model. Presented at the EdMedia 2016: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology, June 27-30, 2016, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. – Outstanding Paper Award
Self-Reflection Question.
Does the kind of eLearning technology you use foster a social community and an effective eLearning environment?
When developing a course online several key elements are kept in mind: content, delivery and assessment, and the audience. While the first two elements are typical components for which instructors concentrate, much less attention is often given to the audience- the learner.
The idea that when you develop an online course then learners will be motivated to become involved is a fallacy. Seasoned online learning practitioners know that one of the instructor’s most difficult duties is encouraging student interaction within the course especially when it is delivered online.
Kearsley (2000) identifies participation as involvement and presence within a course without the element of feedback. Kearsley also defines interaction as a discourse between the students and instructors, peers, and content. It is interaction or discourse among participants which creates a sense of identity within a community, whether real or virtual.
Watch this 4 minute video below on developing a Fully Online Learning Communities (FOLC) model