Fostering connections is key to student engagement and success in online learning. Online instructors can create opportunities for community building through the design of their courses and communication with students.
Educators can encourage collaboration and connection through group assignments, virtual study groups, and videoconferencing tools. Students can develop shared knowledge through inquiry-based activities that require them to explore, think, innovate, and seek conceptual understanding—things they wouldn’t be able to do alone.
1. Make it easy for students to connect.
Online learning spaces pose unique challenges for fostering connections, but it is possible to foster a sense of community even in virtual classrooms on Skool Masterclass. Rather than viewing the shift to distance learning as isolating, teachers should consider how a strong sense of connection can foster student engagement and commitment in an online classroom.
One of the key factors in creating a sense of community is providing opportunities for students to connect with each other and share resources. Several communication tools can be used to provide this opportunity, including forums, chat rooms, and private discussion boards. Professor Laura Freberg from California Polytechnic State University uses Slate, a free communication tool, to allow her students to communicate and collaborate in an online environment. She monitors the chit-chat among her students and often jumps in to offer support with resources or a reminder about her office hours.
During discussions, ask learners to share an example of their work (e.g., an art project or paper). Alternatively, you can set up a collective repository space where learners can post links, photos, citations, and other resources related to their assignments or projects. In addition to providing an opportunity for learners to connect, these resources can also be used as teaching tools and can encourage peer-to-peer encouragement.
Make sure that you are communicating with your students regularly, particularly before high-stakes assignments. Depending on the nature of your course, it may be helpful to schedule regular meetings as a class or to establish virtual office hours. Similarly, communicating regularly through announcements or even through quick texts can be an effective way to reach out and touch base with your students. You could also try having your students do introductory videos, either as individuals or in small groups, where they talk about themselves and their interests.
2. Encourage social learning.
In the early 20th century, Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky developed his theory of the zone of proximal development. This concept emphasizes the importance of social interaction to learning, positing that students cannot fully understand and master course content without the help of their instructors and peers (Flower & Lang, 2019). This understanding is especially relevant in online education, where distance can make it more challenging for learners to connect with each other and with their instructor.
In an effort to foster community, educators should consider creating social learning spaces through a variety of channels and platforms. This could include discussion forums, virtual classrooms, messaging apps, video conferencing tools, and more. In addition to establishing these channels, educators should also set clear expectations for communication and response time, as this will encourage student engagement.
A popular way to facilitate social learning in an online environment is through social media groups. These are typically closed communities on platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter that bring together learners who have similar interests and goals. They can be used to discuss course topics, share resources, and collaborate on projects. Many of these communities use moderators or educators to set the tone for constructive interaction and ensure a positive learning experience.
Educators can also encourage social learning through a variety of in-class activities. One example is an activity where students respond to a survey question on Padlet and then break out into small groups to discuss their answers. The groups then present their findings to the class, facilitating group discussions and collaborations. This approach taps into the intrinsic motivations of learners, making them feel like they are contributing to a greater purpose.
3. Make it fun.
Students are more likely to engage with learning when it’s fun. Using games, icebreakers, and activities to encourage connection can help build community in your classroom and online. But make sure you know your audience and don’t force a game that doesn’t fit. For example, one MiEN instructor used Padlet to have students respond individually about the type of learning environment they want in class. Then they broke into small groups and discussed trends. From this, they were able to develop community agreements for their class.
Creating a dedicated space to facilitate learning can also be fun. One educator repurposed a room in their school as a learning hub and made it a colorful, comfortable place to collaborate with peers. It was a great alternative to the traditional classroom setting. Another option is to take advantage of empty space like hallway nooks, a spare room in the building, or a corner of a student lounge to create a more active learning space.
Use discussions that promote meaningful engagement. Jigsaw, Paper Seminar, and Think Aloud Pair Problem Solving are all discussion formats that can allow students to interact with each other in new ways and engage in deep discussion around key learning methods. These types of discussions can give students a sense of ownership of the content because they aren’t structured around static knowns and regurgitation of expected answers.
4. Make it safe.
Creating safe learning spaces is crucial to allowing students to share ideas, take risks and broaden their horizons. But for these types of discussions to be possible, people need to feel safe in order to openly express their views and emotions.
One way to create safe spaces is through peer-to-peer learning and assessment. This allows students to take ownership of their own learning, while still having the support and guidance of their instructor. It also helps students to build relationships and trust with their peers, which is essential to the process of learning.
Another way to make learning spaces safe is by providing a space for emotional regulation. Many students come to school with big emotions and it can be difficult for them to focus on the curriculum or work with their peers if they are feeling overwhelmed. Creating a space where students can go to calm down or regroup can help them learn better and be more productive at school. This is often called a safe space or a Conscious Discipline Safe Place.
Building these spaces takes time and attention. It is important to establish relationships with your students and listen to their concerns. Sharing personal stories of your own experiences can be a great way to connect with your students and help them feel safe.
It is also important to respect student privacy. For example, it is important to not post any private information about your students online and only discuss them with other adults in a safe space. Also, you should make it clear to your students that their private spaces are theirs alone and that other students should not enter their space without permission.
5. Create a sense of belonging.
Students may be accustomed to finding a sense of community in classrooms and in hallways at school, but virtual learning spaces present unique challenges to cultivating these connections. Fortunately, there are many ways online instructors can help to foster a sense of belonging for their students.
One approach that can be used is the Community of Inquiry (COI) framework. COI focuses on how students interact with each other and with their instructor, aiming to support student engagement and development through the use of meaningful relationships, an active classroom, and supportive feedback. While the framework is designed for face-to-face learning, it can easily be adapted to an online environment by changing the way in which the course is structured and how interactions occur.
In addition to the COI framework, there are a variety of other strategies that can be used to promote a sense of belonging in an online class. For example, one method that can be used is icebreaker activities. These can be as simple as having students introduce themselves to each other in a video chat or having them answer questions that allow them to share something about themselves. Another strategy is to create small group discussions, either in a separate forum or by using break out rooms within a video conference session.
Finally, it is important for instructors to communicate regularly with their students. This can be done through email, text message, or discussion boards. It is also helpful to set expectations for communication early in the course, and to touch base with students before high stakes assignments. It is also useful to create a calendar of communications with your students, and to make sure that they know when you will be available.