To create a community-based learning experience for students, it is imperative to explicitly frame your class in a way that promotes community from the very beginning. From there, you can then cultivate a learning environment that fosters and encourages trust, student contributions, peer interaction, and the overall collaborative construction of knowledge. This starts with thinking about the class from the perspective of the student. By looking at it from this viewpoint, it will be easier to provide the support necessary and build expectations that help structure the class in a way that promotes community.
For the online environment, it is important for the instructor to provide opportunities to allow students to make connections. Many tools can help support the implementation of student interactions. While having formal collaborative work, such as graded group projects, helps contribute to stronger learning, giving students informal opportunities to engage with their peers also provides crucial interactions that will improve the student experience and help build the skills that are expected in the 21st century work environments.
It is important to start strong from the very beginning to establish a culture of collaboration where all members of the community feel respected and valued. To get started, introduction blogs or videos give students a voice and allow them to start making interpersonal connections with their peers. Give students an opportunity to share their interests outside of the academic or professional environment and encourage “small talk” responses. This will help build a foundation of trust between class members.
Tell them an interesting fact or share some hobbies, show a picture and gush about your kids, and share your enthusiasm for this experience you’re all about to go on together. You’re a normal person too and it’s okay for them to see a glimpse into that side of you.
One way to create content that is accessible to all learners is to employ principles and guidelines for Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The concept of UDL is that if we intentionally design courses for all learning styles and abilities, then all learners will have an equal opportunity to learn and benefit. Instructors can create inclusive learning spaces by designing course content that provides multiples means of :
Engagement - the WHY of learning
Representation - the WHAT of learning
Action & Expression - the HOW of learning
UDL website: https://udlguidelines.cast.org/
Incorporating transparency into teaching methods helps students understand how and why they are learning course content. Instructors can craft transparent assessments by explicitly stating learning outcomes and rationale in the assignment description, incorporating rubrics with criteria and specific performance characteristics, and by providing prompt, individualized feedback so students can identify areas of weakness and make adjustments for future submissions
Transparent Assignment Template
Reaching All Learners by Leveraging Universal Design for Learning in Online Courses