Todd ponders the challenges of building meaningful online communities that last beyond a single class semester or year. He acknowledges the constraints of learning management systems but believes communities could form more frequently if teachers and students embraced the idea of ongoing learning networks rather than seeing their class as an isolated event. Todd suggests role modeling active engagement, relating content to the present, recognizing weekly student contributions, allowing outside content, and following a 30/30/30 rule for discussion to help form communities within the constraints of the current class semester.

1. Challenges of Community
online or otherwise

6. Meaningful Connections
that have purpose and relevance to goals

7. TODD PONDERS
We may really get the kind of communities
we have visions of till we get past the
constraints of most LMS and begin to share
content well past the semester/year/class.

8. But what about my class,
right now? This semester!

11. OWNERSHIP

12. I know, but my class, right now?

13. Role Model Active Engagement

14. Relate Content to Today

15. Pick a Weekly Winner (honor)

16. Outside Stuff

17. Keep It Beautiful

18. 30/30/30 Rule

19. OTHER IDEAS?

20. TODD PONDERS
Once we can get the idea of a “learning
network” into the lap of teachers and students
we will see the formation of “communities”
being owned & formed more frequently.