Building Community

How do you make your learners feel comfortable in the learning environment? What techniques do you use to encourage your learners to interact with one another?  Let us know by listing your strategy here.

IDEA: Create a learning community the first week of classes

If the subject is a language or linguistics course, or something where experiences come into play, then have students share their experiences with others.  This will help alleviate anxieties about talking in front of others.  By doing this the students get accustomed to that have different ideas and work ethics. - Jolie

IDEA: More Group Work

There are some great ideas here, including meeting in a restaurant setting, having students interview each other, and rotating groups. I think these will work well, especially in smaller classes. I have started to encourage students to sit by different people every day in class, so that when we have discussions )or two minute think, pair, share) students are meeting and interacting with new faces. It takes some work, especially for those that come into the classroom already knowing other students, but is worth the effort. Also, our first in-class activity, I give extra time at the end and encourage students to exchange email addresses and phone numbers for study groups and contacts for notes on days when they have to miss. - R. Wiggins

IDEA: Competition

Competition always brings people together, and most people find it fun and engaging. One thing that I like to do instead of traditional discussions or lectures is have students prepare ideas based on a reading, etc. and then have them join small groups and debate against another small group (with the class observing) about an issue. This works well because it forces students to know the material well, other students learn from the debate, and students usually enjoy working together in a competitive nature. Making classes fun is a great way to learn, and to build a strong community. -Tim Roe

IDEA: Using Discussion boards, skype or teleconference

This is assuming some of the students can be available at the same time. And then they can discuss on a topic while getting to know each other better. Subsequently assign group projects to maintain that sense of community in your virtual classroom. - Hubert K. Noussi

IDEA: Student interviewing other students

On the first day of the semester I normally break my class into pairs (sometimes of threes though) and let them interview each other. Then I let the interviewer introduce the interviewee to the class. This helps students get to know each other and immediately sets the tone for the rest of the semester because the students open up to each other at the very beginning of the semester. - Nemecio (Chito) Chavez

IDEA: Let students teach class

My class of cadets is a cohort that has been together at least a year so they already have a strong sense of community just by putting on their uniform each week. One of the things that I do is to give the students the slides ahead of time and let them "teach the class". I facilitate learning from the seats with other students by asking leading questions if they are off course or say something that is incorrect. It seems to work for a couple of reasons. I am trying to get them comfortable speaking in front of groups, want them to learn the content of the class and peer pressure is a powerful tool to have them "look good" in front of their classmates. So far, one or two have volunteered to teach certain topics they are comfortable with. - LTC Brad Gavle

IDEA:  Autobiographies

I teach an introductory online graduate course. Students reside in cities throughout the state of New Mexico. All course activities take place online. I found that my students enjoy creating and posting an autobiography using the Student Bio section of Web/CT. They meet new friends and discover talents and interests of old friends. The bio tool is easy to use and allows for creative backgrounds, text, and uploading photos. It's a great way for students to meet each other on line and helps me to get o know my students. I comment on each bio I read. Olive Oil

IDEA (Follow-Up): Personal Statement

I've never tried this with a class, but a personal statement draft is a useful variation of the autobiography.  A statement of purpose or personal statement is frequently required by graduate and professional schools.  Students will have to evaluate what is most significant in their lives, write an interesting story, and work on defining themselves.  These always take forever and are never really finished.  This permits sharing similar to the autobiography.  Students might also be permitted to add photos or "flair" to their posts/pages. 

IDEA: Centra

I have recently introduced two Centra presentations into my online graduate seminar. This course prepares graduate students for their exit oral exams. All activities do take place online except I do hold mock orals face to face. Attendance is voluntary because of the distance some students would have to drive to participate. Students are paired or teamed (depending on enrollment) and are requred to submit a 2-page paper on a particular topic and a summary of the topic in power point form.

Around midterm and again toward the end of the semester, selected groups present their power points via Centra. Each team takes the lead and shares their topic information. This provides a in depth review of the topic and gives the presenters a chance to review their material in preparation for their graduate orals. Feedback is very positive, and students would like more Centra presentations. They feel that at least they can hear the voices of their classmates. Next semester, I will try to introduce Adobe Connect or another presentation tool that allows for video. Olive Oil

IDEA: Skype

I would use skype as a forum of building a community.  This tech tool is easily downloadable and free, which would allow each of the community members to become a part.  The skype can be used either typing, audio, or video.  This will allow the community to chose the forum of communications which each other.  In addition Skype can be used in the synchronous and asynchronous communications.  It is a nice way to carry out a class, have small pre-set discussion groups, or offer video office hours.  Skype can encourage the online community to become closer and keep them connected at the touch of a screen button.   Conni D.