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Last updated on Feb 19, 2025
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  3. Higher Education

You're navigating the complexities of online education. How can you foster a sense of community?

Creating a strong sense of community in online education helps students feel connected and supported. To foster this, consider these strategies:

  • Use interactive tools: Incorporate discussion boards and video chats to encourage student interaction.

  • Create group projects: Facilitate collaboration and teamwork, which help build relationships.

  • Host virtual events: Schedule regular online meet-ups or guest speaker sessions to engage students.

What other strategies have you found effective in building community online?

Higher Education Higher Education

Higher Education

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Last updated on Feb 19, 2025
  1. All
  2. Education
  3. Higher Education

You're navigating the complexities of online education. How can you foster a sense of community?

Creating a strong sense of community in online education helps students feel connected and supported. To foster this, consider these strategies:

  • Use interactive tools: Incorporate discussion boards and video chats to encourage student interaction.

  • Create group projects: Facilitate collaboration and teamwork, which help build relationships.

  • Host virtual events: Schedule regular online meet-ups or guest speaker sessions to engage students.

What other strategies have you found effective in building community online?

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
95 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Dr. Seema Shah

    Helping Students & Professionals Break Free from Stress, Build Confidence, and Succeed with Purpose, EI Trainer

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    Foster community in online education by encouraging active discussions, group projects, and peer mentorship. Host live Q&A sessions, virtual meetups, and interactive forums. Personalize interactions, celebrate achievements, and create a safe, inclusive space. Use collaborative tools and social media to keep students engaged and connected.

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    Shelley Mishoe

    Professor Emeritus at Old Dominion University

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    I did quite a bit of online teaching before I retired. One of my favorite graded assignments worth 25% of the course grade was to have students volunteer in the community. The local organization signed forms to confirm their hours and compete a student evaluation. Students also wrote a paper about their community work and how it fulfilled the objectives of the course. Surprisingly, up to one third of the students continued their community engagement after the assignment and the course! These online students became active participants in their communities.

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    11
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    Hetal IIBMS

    Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies

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    To foster community in online education, encourage active participation through discussions, group projects, and live sessions. Personalize communication, provide timely feedback, and use interactive tools like breakout rooms and gamification. Virtual networking, peer mentoring, and inclusivity help strengthen connections, creating a supportive learning environment.

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    8
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    Adi I. Arida

    Professor | Connecting learners to the world | Quality Enhancement Planner

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    Creating a sense of community in online education requires a multifaceted approach that prioritizes communication, interaction, personalization, inclusivity, and recognition. When implemented effectively, these strategies can transform an online course into a dynamic and supportive learning environment where students thrive both academically and socially.

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    6
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    Mickaël Bosco, PhD

    🎓 Former les ingénieurs de demain 🚀 ⚜️Directeur école d’ingénieurs Esaip campus Méditerranée ✅CGE - CDEFI - CTI 💎 Intérêts : Ingénieur 🎓 Risques 👷🏻Cybersécurité 💻 Data 🧮 Environnement 🏞️ Maths 📚 Pédagogie 📖

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    Afin de pouvoir élaborer une stratégie de complexité dans l’éducation il peut être important d’avoir une ligne directrice afin de pouvoir garer en mémoire les besoins et attentes.

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    Peter Ong

    Helping Japanese and Mandarin learners to enhance their workplace communication for global business success. | HRD Corp Accredited Trainer

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    Fostering a sense of community in online education starts with intentional engagement. I create interactive spaces—discussion forums, live Q&A sessions, and group projects—that encourage collaboration. Personalized communication, like welcome messages and regular check-ins, helps learners feel seen and valued. I also incorporate peer mentoring and social learning opportunities to build connections beyond coursework. Encouraging shared experiences through storytelling, gamification, or virtual events strengthens relationships. Most importantly, I lead by example, promoting inclusivity and open dialogue. A strong community transforms online learning from an individual task into a shared journey.

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    5
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    Dr. Munila Naqvi

    Senior Lecturer at SPC partnered Arden University UK and University of Hertfordshire UK| Program Leader for UG and PG (MBA)|Published Author & Dissertation Mentor| Expertise in teaching OTHM, QUALIFI, SQA, BTEC.

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    To foster a sense of community in online education: 1. Encourage interaction through discussion forums, live sessions, and group projects. 2. Build personal connections through student profiles, icebreaker activities, and mentorship programs. 3. Foster a sense of belonging with welcome messages, community announcements, and student spotlights. 4. Leverage technology with social media groups, collaboration tools, and virtual social events. 5. Incentivize participation with badges, rewards, leaderboards, and recognition. By implementing these strategies, you can create a supportive and engaging online community that promotes student success.

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    5
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    Scott Weeden

    Senior Staff Developer

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    Aristotle said "Those who know, do. Those who understand, teach." I think it's a great way to take learning to the next step, dividing into group presentations on a particular methodology or platform and allowing them to present the details and teach the class for a day.

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    4
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    Ashley Jordan

    Educator | Life-long Learner | Strategic Leader | People First

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    It doesn't happen on it's own. You have to be very intentional in all aspects of course design to foster sense of community. One thing I started doing semi-recently was incorporating assignments not directly related to course content. Instead, these are mini "wellness" assignments beneficial for students in a holistic sense (e.g., identify resources on campus; take a "time out" for mental health; reflect on study habits and what has worked or not worked). This helps students see that I value them as HUMANS first and foremost. It builds trust and rapport and allows them to see me as human too. Great foundation for creating a culture of belonging within an online class.

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    4
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    Dr. Tamana Anand

    Assistant Professor of Marketing

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    Use discussion forums, group projects, and live Q&A sessions to help students interact. Video calls and virtual office hours allow students to connect with instructors and classmates. Group projects, peer reviews, and study groups encourage teamwork and friendships. Social media groups or chat channels give students a space to connect and support each other. Introducing themselves, sharing goals, and recognizing contributions make students feel valued. Instructors should join discussions, give quick feedback, and guide conversations to create a supportive environment.

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    3
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