4. Foster a Sense of Community


Moreover, the educators should foster a sense of community among their digital disciples. Building community is important for online learning, where learners can readily drift away or feel isolated due to the nature of online engagement. So, think about steps to keep them together and engaged. Through virtual gatherings, collaborative projects, and interactive discussions, we can create a warm and inclusive environment where learners felt connected and supported. 

In an online environment, the role of the teacher can become more supportive and collegiate, such that the learners understand that your primary role is to help them to succeed on the course. It can be useful to construct an individual relationship with each learner rather than always relying on mass or automated emails (OU, 2017).

 Wenger’s (1998) concept of ‘communities of practice’ (CoP) has gained traction in education over the past two decades. Wenger suggests that people who share a common goal or purpose can form a CoP through which they share insights and experiences. Members of a community are practitioners in a particular area. For example, they could be teachers in a subject area who discuss their ideas and experiences in a shared online space. Active participation in a CoP is a social process, and yet it enhances individuals’ learning and can also increase their social capital through developing connections and recognition.