What is an Online Learning Community?

If you're thinking about taking online classes, you might worry about a lack of community. After all, you won't be seeing your classmates in person. How can you possibly bond with them over a discussion board? The answer is that your classmates and instructor, no matter if they're in a classroom with you or live several states away, are an important part of your experience. You can still build community, an online one, with your classmates and teacher.

What is an online learning community?

Any group of people who share academic objectives and who work together using online platforms to support mutual learning are an online learning community. Instructor participation is common, yet the focus is on students engaging with one another.

Various platforms may help facilitate these communities including discussion boards, chat rooms, direct messaging tools, and more. The ultimate goal of all this is connected learning, where a siloed experience once was. The emphasis is on sharing, asking questions, providing answers, and assisting anyone in need.

Your involvement in such a community is a form of peer learning. This concept recognizes that students are a valuable source of knowledge. Teachers and corporate management alike are embracing peer learning for its many benefits.

How can your participation in an online learning community benefit you?

Motivation is huge. When a student feels stuck on difficult material, they're reassured knowing that help is on hand. Because questions and answers are public, each group member can benefit from each question answered.

Relationship building opportunities are always present in an online learning community. Nurture the bonds you form in every class and it will pay off down the road. You'll enter the workforce already connected with numerous colleagues. This could mean interviews, support and continued learning for you throughout your career. You might even make some life-long friends along the way.

Peer support also helps you learn the subject matter more fully. Practice doesn't make perfect, but perfect practice does. It's an old saying, but it rings true. Online learning communities encourage peer support, and peer support encourages learning. Students engaged in the community hold each other accountable and benefit from their shared experience.

Water your garden, reap the benefits at harvest time

As a member, engage early and often. Start with a friendly introduction. Make it natural, relaxed, and real. Be yourself, yet be the best version of you. When you show genuine interest in the needs and concerns of your peers, connections happen.

Support other students and be open to receiving their support in return. Bounce ideas off one another and challenge each other with the subject matter. Respond when another student introduces themselves. Greet them and display an interest in their needs, concerns, and goals. The empathy and concern you show will reflect back upon you from others.

Facilitate connections between community members. As communication and sharing increase, knowledge increases in kind. Fully complete your profile page, as having that done will develop others trust and confidence in you.

Online learning shouldn't be a solo mission

An online education has the potential to open up many doors later in life, and it can all be done on your schedule. Your belonging to an online learning community will allow you to share the gift of learning with others while pursuing your degree online. EPCI University offers a wide variety of online degree programs across a wide variety of fields. For more information about earning a degree online through ECPI University, connect with a helpful admissions representative today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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