Online Learning Communities: Enriching Online Discussions and Developing a Learning Community

Online Learning Communities

Enriching Online Discussions and Developing a Learning Community

• Course Type: Self-Paced, Fully-Facilitated
• Course Length: 10 Hours
• Course Access: Participants have 45 days from the date of enrollment to complete the course

This professional development course explores the principles and best practices of successful online facilitation across any learning platform. Participants will develop essential online communication skills, learn to manage discussions and feedback effectively, and gain strategies for fostering engaging and collaborative learning environments.

Key areas of focus include:

• Enhancing online discussions through effective instructor responses and critical thinking prompts
• Developing a strong learning community by integrating community-building strategies
• Utilizing multiple tools to support diverse learners and learning styles
• Navigating challenges in online collaboration and small-group interactions
• Creating a personalized action plan for improving online facilitation

This course provides practical strategies to engage learners, support interactive discussions, and manage online group dynamics effectively.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to nurture a reflective and dynamic online learning community.

Course Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Understand effective communication strategies with stakeholders, including the use of social media.
• Analyze and apply data to ensure student growth, build family partnerships, and support decision-making.
• Identify the impact of high expectations on student learning and strategies for communicating these expectations to teachers.
• Explain the role of formative assessment and feedback in supporting teacher growth and instructional improvement.
• Explore core concepts of distributed leadership and practical approaches to foster shared leadership in schools.
• Investigate shared decision-making principles, including framing problems and involving stakeholders in solution generation.
• Examine relational leadership strategies for building trust, mutual accountability, and positive professional relationships.
• Develop strategies for creating collaborative frameworks and building time into schedules for planning and professional development.
• Assess resource allocation, budgeting, and the community’s role in promoting equity and enhancing learning opportunities.
• Understand the importance of digital equity, and create plans to address the digital divide and improve technology access for students.