This document outlines strategies for building online community. It discusses communities of practice and how they function. Online learning communities are examined, including their benefits such as providing social context and connection for students. Strategies are presented for building community through interaction, social presence, and collaboration between students and instructors. These strategies include using student and teacher bios, threaded discussions, feedback, and group work.
2. my Background
Assistant Professor @ Boise State University
educator
researcher
designer
developer
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3. Agenda
Communities
of Practice
Online
Learning
Communities
Benefits of
Online
Community
Strategies for
Building
Community
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5. Birth of an Idea?
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1991
6. Birth of an Idea?
1998
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1991
7. “Communities of practice are groups of
people who share a concern or a passion
for something they do and learn how to
do it better as they interact regularly”
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Etienne Wenger
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Etienne Wenger
“Communities of practice are groups of
people who share a concern or a passion
for something they do and learn how to
do it better as they interact regularly”
17. Bounded Communities
Participation is required
Fixed length of time
Don’t choose classmates or instructor
Explicit effort to connect with others
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(Wilson et al., 2004)
18. Bounded Communities
Participation is required
Fixed length of time
Don’t choose classmates or instructor
Explicit effort to connect with others
slides @ patricklowenthal.com
(Wilson et al., 2004)
19. Bounded Communities
Participation is required
Fixed length of time
Don’t choose classmates or instructor
Explicit effort to connect with others
slides @ patricklowenthal.com
(Wilson et al., 2004)
20. Bounded Communities
Participation is required
Fixed length of time
Don’t choose classmates or instructor
Explicit effort to connect with others
slides @ patricklowenthal.com
(Wilson et al., 2004)
23. Benefits of Community
Provide a
social context
for the material
slides @ patricklowenthal.com
Bridge
between
school & work
environments
Students feel
more
connected
within a
community
(Wilson et al., 2004)
24. Benefits of Community
Provide a
social context
for the material
slides @ patricklowenthal.com
Bridge
between
school & work
environments
Students feel
more
connected
within a
community
(Wilson et al., 2004)
25. Benefits of Community
Provide a
social context
for the material
slides @ patricklowenthal.com
Bridge
between
school & work
environments
Students feel
more
connected
within a
community
(Wilson et al., 2004)