Building Community in Web-based Learning Environments: Strategies, Techniques and Tools

The Web has received widespread acceptance and use for creating and supporting learning activities across disciplines within higher education. However, satisfaction with the Web for purposes of learning has not been as strong as proponents may have hoped. Creating a community for supporting learners is one strategy that has been recommended for increasing satisfaction. The designer and/or instructor of a course can have the goal (i.e., intent) of creating a learning community, but may not have a clear idea of how to make this happen. Identifying successful strategies and techniques for enabling community to develop is a critical step toward making the goal a reality. The purpose of the following posts is to present several strategies, techniques and tools that have proven successful for community building in Web-based learning environments.

Deschooling Society (with Learning Webs) – Tools for Conviviality – Ivan Illich

Deinstitutionalizing Education

From Information to Knowledge

Web 2.0 Tools for Teachers

CoP Trumps

Connectivist Learning and Teaching

The networked student model for construction of personal learning environments: Balancing teacher control and student autonomy

Networked Connectivity and Adult Learning – Social Media, the Knowledgeable Other and Distance Education

Integrating Personal Learning and Working Environments

Rhizomatic Education – Community as Curriculum

Rhizomatic learning, ubiquitous computing, mobile devices and Personal Learning Environments

Managing and Learning in MOOCs – Massive(ly) Open Online Courses

Personal Learning Environments Networks and Knowledge – PLENK2010

Complexity and Personal Learning Environments