It can be difficult sustaining an active community as they can move quite quickly from being a thriving hub of student activity to an empty space where nobody goes. As such we have put together a few tips and tricks we have learnt to help keep communities thriving. Once your community reaches a certain size it can take a life of its own and can need very light input from an academic.

10 Top Tips

1. Have regular input into the community. Make sure you engage with the community and add fresh information on at least a weekly basis.
2. Promote the community. You are the biggest cheerleader for the community and it is important students do not easily forget that it exists.
3. Make it accessible. Once students have started check that they can all easily access the community and are happy to do so.
4. Have some fun. A community is a great opportunity to have less formal information. Not everything needs to be about assessment.
5. Visually appealing. Everyone likes things that look good. If your community is online make sure there is plenty of colour, images and consider layout.
6. Don't leave questions un-answered. If students use the community to ask questions make sure you are regularly checking so then they know you are an active member and other students are not spreading any mis-information.
7. Give students control. If students feel they can shape and steer the community to meet their needs they will find it more appealing and inviting to return. Watch your community develop organically and learn from those shaping it.
8. Invite others. Use the community to connect students directly with other professionals and past students. It is a great opportunity for a community to engage and access other opinions, help and guidance.
9. No repetition. A community space is not a place to repeat information already found in Blackboard. It might be good to signpost but students don't need two Blackboards and it only adds confusion.
10. Get feedback. If the community is not growing or being as successful as you had hoped speak to the students. What is it they need from the community and what are the barriers to their participation?