Community in Digital Campuses and Classrooms

On traditional campuses and in traditional classrooms, there are standard practices that most every educator uses to create their desired environmental cultures. When it comes to digital spaces, both campuses and classrooms, these strategies do not often transfer easily. Culture can be effectively built in digital settings through strategies grounded in responsibility, trust, and respect.

Here are some strategies that may prove useful in building the culture in your digital space:

Model empathy, kindness, compassion, and respect

• Start classes on a positive note allowing time for sharing of good news

• Establish credibility by explaining your experience with the subject on the first day 

• Consider how students learn best, but expect a growth-mindset

• Empower students through their strengths

• Be human and transparent about your knowledge and mistakes

• Welcome mistakes as part of the learning process

• Consider the student’s perspective on a situation, then resolve based on everyone’s needs

• Treat students with dignity and respect for their differences

• Allow their voices to be heard in and out of class

Establish trust quickly and early

• Show enthusiasm for the course content every session

• Share your teaching philosophy and teaching/communication style early 

• Encourage students to read your bio and ask you questions 

• Reveal a bit about yourself to show you are a multi-dimensional person with a life beyond academia 

• Create a survey or google form with questions about them to find commonality

• Take time for students to share personal experiences or connections to each other

Encourage interaction inside and outside of class

• Use breakout rooms often

• Encourage digital learning communities within your Digital Campus’ social groups

• Set up crowd-sourcing notes in collaborative documents or survey tools

• Create offline discussions using announcements or in collaborative documents

• Use get-to-know-you activities each week until learners feel comfortable with each other

There are no shortcuts to developing a community, and time and effort to do so may seem challenging. However, when educators act with intentionality and focus toward building community with their learners, the benefits will far outweigh the effort. Starting with these strategies will greatly improve your community building processes. 

Sources:

Mills, W. (2019, April 3). What is ‘Swift Trust,’ and why do I want it in my classes? Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/what-is-swift-trust-and-why-do-i-want-it-in-my-classes/

Wehler, M. (2018, July 12). Five ways to build community in online classrooms. Faculty Focus | Higher Ed Teaching & Learning. www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/five-ways-to-build-community-in-online-classrooms/

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