Blog Post #2

     There are many ways instructors can promote a sense of community in an asynchronous environment. One way would be surveying student interests, this would be helpful in so many ways. I believe student interests is the most important thing and I believe it will improve their learning if they have a say in ways they learn. Rather than a student being forced to love and forced to use the materials they are given, they can have a say on what online courses they are using. Surveying student interests also allow children to recognize the diverse experiences and knowledge of their classmates. This is also a vital tool for teachers and administrators to collect information on students interests and preferences to improve the online community.

   

     A second way instructors can promote an online community would be creating a safe course environment for the students. Anybody regardless of who you are, will always work better and feel safer in a safe course environment. A safe and supportive learning environment makes the learning process more accessible, both in a physical and psychological sense. The children also feel confident to share ideas, values, and attitudes without feeling like they can’t share ideas in that certain environment. Students are more likely to engage more in a comfortable setting that they feel safe in, rather than not feeling safe or comfortable and being afraid to share new ideas.  

 

   Lastly, meeting in real time can promote an online community. There are many ways this can be effective by letting children pick days to meet in person to go over different material and become more comfortable with the online material. This can also be effective by sharing results with other students doing the same course material as you. I personally wouldn’t say meeting weekly is needed but meeting once a month or zoom calls as needed. This may also help with being more organized and gathering information from others to use as ideas and guidelines for your personal use.

 

    The most appealing method to me would be meeting in real time. The reason I say this is because for me, getting reassurance one a month from a class helps me in making sure I am headed in the right direction. Making weekly notes until the meeting can help in planning out promoting the online community environment. Rather than communicating through email with your educator I find it easier to find a time to meet in person every once in a while to get answers you may need questions from.