Creating Community in the Distance Learning Space
Session Abstract
Creating community is essential for student success, especially in the distance space. This can be achieved through student interaction, ownership, and collaboration. The facilitator will share data on the importance of creating a learning community in online education and initiate a discussion on how to achieve this in online learning.
Target Audience
This roundtable will be beneficial for individuals who teach adults in the distance/online format or for instructional designers creating distance/online experiences for adults. Educators who facilitate learning in the distance/online environment and value social learning or who are interested in learning the importance students place on their peers and the creation of a learning community in the distance space will benefit from this research and subsequent discussion. The intention of the gathering will be to share some guidelines to assist in effective distance/online learning space communities and elicit additional best practices from other distance/online adult educators.
Session Description
Developing a successful online classroom experience that incorporates an engaging environment and dynamic community setting conducive to learning is essential in maintaining distance-student enrollment and expanding online education. The expanse of distance education, particularly for adult learners, and progression of technology has supported instructors in developing classrooms that emphasize students and community; and incorporates online interactive spaces. Both teachers and students contribute to this distance classroom which is utilized primarily as a space where learners engage. Research involving students and faculty in an adult distance graduate program thoroughly depicts the distance classroom and assists in better understanding the role of students in the online learning space, and the importance of community for adult distance learners. Following presentation of the research and its application in adult distance education the facilitator will lead a discussion on establishing adult learning communities in the distance learning space.