Lesson 2: Online Learning Community Concepts

Overview

In lesson 1, you discussed what you know or theorize about online learning communities. Then, you read what a few experts in the field have to say about online learning communities. Now it's time for you to analyze some actual online learning communities in terms of the characteristics that make them communities.

 

Standards and Objectives

The SREB Standards for Quality Online Teaching inform our selection of learning objectives. In this lesson, we are addressing the following standards:

• The teacher has experienced online learning from the perspective of a student.
• The teacher has the prerequisite technology skills to teach online.
• The teacher plans, designs and incorporates strategies to encourage active learning, interaction, participation and collaboration in the online environment. (partial addressing of this one)

To help you meet those standards, we must define a set of specific learning objectives. So, for this lesson, you will:

• analyze an online learning community for specific attributes that make it an online learning community,
• evaluate how well the online learning community is serving the needs of its members
• apply your knowledge of online learning communities by drafting some ideas of what things you will do in your class to foster an online learning community

 

Assignments

1. Discussion assignment 1: Post a response. Approximately 1 hour.
   • First, take a virtual visit to two of the following online learning communities (**we recommend becoming a member of the first two)
     • Edutopia** http://www.edutopia.org
     • Learning Times Network** http://www.learningtimes.net/about.shtml
     • The Digital Divide Network http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org
     • Taking IT Global http://takingitglobal.org
     • MOOSE Crossing http://www-static.cc.gatech.edu/elc/moose-crossing/
     • The WELL http://www.well.com
     • 43 Things http://43things.com
   • In WebCT Discussions, Topic: OLC Attributes and Members, post your answers to the following using information from Lesson 1 readings and your virtual visits:
     • Describe the two sites you visited in terms of the attributes that cause them to be considered online learning communities.
     • Discuss anything you could observe about the members of the two communities you visited. Was there member activity and interaction? What types of interaction and activity were there? Could you tell if members are involved or if their needs are being met?
   • How the assignment is graded (5 points)
   • There are no right or wrong answers here. We're just exploring, as a learning community, our understanding of the concepts.
   • Your post should be a minimum of 200 words
   • Your post should answer the questions to the best of your ability. Theories and speculations welcome!
   • And, it goes without saying - this assignment should be posted on time (i.e. during the week assigned
2. Discussion assignment 2: Reply to other learners Approximately 15 minutes to complete.
   • In WebCT Discussions, Topic: OLC Attributes and Members , review the answers of at least two others and reply to them. Based on your experience and knowledge, your response should:
     • request clarification of all or part of the learner's answer and/or
     • add additional information to all or part of the learner's answer
   • How assignment is graded (5 points)
     • Again, there are no wrong or right answers here.
     • Reply to at least two learners using above criteria to obtain full credit.
3. Discussion assignment 3: Reflection Approximately 30 minutes to complete.

   Since this is the end of Lesson 1, we want you to reflect on what you've learned so far, using two different perspectives. Then, based on those reflections, figure out what you still want to know. Julia likes to call this the Three Hats Post.

   • In WebCT Discussions, Topic: Three Hats Reflection , answer the following:
     • Put on your student/member hat and discuss what it means to be a student or a member of an online learning community. What are your expectations of the teacher/designer? What should your attitude, goals, and contribution be? What will you do in this class to foster an online learning community?
     • Put on your teacher/designer hat and discuss what it means to be the teacher/facilitator/designer of an online learning community. What are your expectations of the students/members? What should your attitude, goals, and contribution be? What will do in the class you create to foster an online learning community?
     • Put on your interviewer hat and discuss what 2 or 3 questions you still have that you would ask of an expert in online learning communities.
       • We'll be coming back to these interviewer questions later as part of another learning opportunity
   • How assignment will be graded (20 points)
     • Simply reflect on and answer all the questions in your discussion post. That's it. We promise not to have the thought police come in and say you didn't reflect deeply enough! LOL.

 

Next Step

Begin Unit 2, Lesson 1 Collaboration in Online Learning Communities

 

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