EDTC 816- Methods for Building Online Communities

The course prepares students for roles as online community researchers, designers, managers, and users. It will introduce important concepts, terms, and theories about online communities. Students will gain a better understanding of how social science research can help design interaction spaces that encourage community building.

Prior to designing an online community to support educators in STEAM education, it was important to gain an understanding of what types of communities are existing in the STEAM field. This assignment serves as a sample of the variety of online communities currently existing in STEAM education.

Together with Courtney Johnson, and Jennifer Giordano, we interviewed people associated with Mentor Newark to learn more about how their online community operated to help them serve the community.

The STEAM Learning Lounge was designed as a professional development space to support educators learn more about STEAM education. Through the exposure to resources, materials, current events in the field, as well as a growing online community, educators have the chance to help develop their STEAM skills in a supportive environment.

https://sites.google.com/view/steam-learning-lounge/home