Steps for Setting Up and Running an Online Learning Community
Cheryl Gregory
Creative Designer | Certified Kajabi Designer | Online Course Designer | Knowledge Economy Advocate | Fashion Educator & Designer.
This post covers the six most important steps for establishing and running an influential online learning community. Regardless of your community platform, the steps we cover will be the same.
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1. Determine the Purpose and Goals of the Community
Before building your community, you need to determine its purpose and goals. Are you looking to enhance student engagement, foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, or create a sense of belonging among learners? Clearly defining the purpose and goals of your community will help you create content, activities, and challenges that align with your objectives.?Ultimately, the purpose and goals of an online learning community will depend on the needs and interests of the students, as well as the overall objectives of the course or program. It's essential to have a clear understanding of these goals before building the community to ensure that it meets the needs of everyone involved.
Types of Goals
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2. Choose the Right Platform
Many platforms are available for creating online communities, such as social media platforms, discussion forums, and learning management systems (LMS). You can choose a platform that fits your needs and budget and is easy to use and navigate.
Here are ten online community platforms that you could use to create an online learning community:
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Each of these platforms has its own features and benefits, so it's essential to choose the one that best suits your needs and the needs of your students. Some are more focused on discussion and collaboration, while others are geared towards organizing and managing course materials.?It's also essential to consider factors such as ease of use, cost, and accessibility when choosing an online community platform.
3. Set Up the Community
Once you have chosen a platform, set up your community by creating a profile, setting up discussion forums, and adding content and resources. You may also want to establish guidelines for participation and behaviour to ensure a positive and respectful learning environment.
Here are some tips for creating online community guidelines:
These tips can create a safe, positive, and productive online community supporting learning and collaboration. And one last point, tailor your guidelines to your community and the type of culture you are trying to foster. Every brand has its own unique personality, and your community guidelines should consider this.
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4. Promote the Community
Promote your community through social media, email marketing, and other channels to attract learners and encourage participation. Consider offering incentives or rewards for participation, such as badges or certificates. Promoting your course community through appropriate channels?can attract and engage more students and create a vibrant, active community that supports learning and collaboration.
Here are some easy ways to promote your community to others:
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5. Foster Engagement and Participation
Encourage learners to participate in the community by creating interactive and engaging content, such as quizzes, polls, and challenges. Encourage learners to share their knowledge and experiences with each other and provide opportunities for feedback and discussion. See this post on?how to use challenges and leaderboards .
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6. Monitor and Evaluate the Community
Monitor the community to ensure it functions effectively and that learners participate and engage with each other. Evaluate the success of your community by tracking metrics such as participation rates, engagement levels, and learner satisfaction.
Following these steps, you can create and run an online learning community that enhances engagement, fosters collaboration, and promotes learning outcomes.
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Ready to enhance your online course experience and create a supportive learning community?
Start by defining your community goals and guidelines, and then explore the many platforms available to build and grow your community. One of the easiest to get started with is Kajabi's. Use this link and?get a 30-day free trial ?and see the benefits for yourself!
And if you would like a chat, contact us at [email protected]