Importance of Community

I think it is important for learners to be part of a community because it provides students a chance to connect with the instructor and fellow students. From personal experience I know that online learning can make learners feel isolated and distant from the instructor because they have limited ways to interact and they are not face-to-face. Working together can help boost the student’s interest in the subject and keep them focused on what they are learning. Also by working in a group setting with the limitation of not meeting in person, students will have enhanced skills that will be beneficial in the workplace.
To support building a community of online learners is to:
Encourage collaboration- connect learners with email, document sharing, video conferencing tools, etc.
Create purpose for the learners to participate- use blogs, discussions boards, etc to bring participants together before and after training.
Evaluate the community-allow students and the instructor to evaluate the bounded community on a scheduled basis. Let everyone explain what works and what doesn’t.