Building learning communities in cyberspace: effective strategies for the online classroom

Abstract

Many Canadian postsecondary institutions have integrated the use of technology in their courses. Queen's University, is no exception, we have over 400 courses using WebCT, at both a distance and on-campus. The nature of virtual learning environments (such as WebCT or Blackboard) always includes some form of a conferencing tool where students and instructors can interact (not all faculty choose to use that tool). However, a challenge these bulletin boards or discussion forums may face, encourages the age-old question, "if you build it -- will they come?" One strategy that encourages active participation of students in an online environment is the building and fostering of learning communities.

The Instructional Development Centre at Queen's University recently acquired an award-winning book in this area, Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace: Effective Strategies for the Online Classroom, by Palloff and Pratt. This book provides practical suggestions and strategies to encourage community building in an environment where students also excel academically. Although this book is geared towards online learning, the strategies offered can be used in many different learning environments. The emphasis of this book is on the teaching and learning process -- not the technology. The technology viewed only as a tool to encourage the development of learning communities.

Shaffer and Anundsen (1993, as cited in Palloff and Pratt) define community as a dynamic whole that emerges when a group of people participate in common activities, depend on one another, and make decisions together. In addition, group members identify themselves as part of something larger than the sum of their individual relationships, and are willing to commit themselves for the long term to the group's wellbeing. Palloff and Pratt further this definition by reminding us that the inclusion of technology implies that learning communities are no longer "place-based" because they can take place anywhere and at anytime.