*3 Minute Read

Might sound impossible, but it can be done!

Connecting in a classroom comes naturally to most of us. We are familiar with this in person format and the idea of learning in a new format might seem scary; how do you make friends, find study partners, ask each other questions that you aren't ready to ask your professor yet. The truth is that these kind of connections are made in online/hybrid classes all the time.

Creating Connections = Building Community

There are three elements in each course, no matter the topic, that you can try to engage and interact with to connect, build community, and make your learning experience both positive and impactful!

Course Content:

- Dive in and allow yourself to learn,
- Become an active participant not a passive consumer of content,
- Engaging with content will help you retain what you are learning and be able to build on it in the future.

Your Peers:

- - Introduce yourself online,
  - Form online study groups,
  - Use the discussion boards to your advantage,
  - Share interests beyond school,
  - Use social media for connections outside of the "classroom,"
  - Network with other students that share specific interests in your future career field.

Your Instructor:

- - Reach out,
  - Ask questions,
  - Pose problems,
  - Communicate frequently via email,
  - Attend online office hours.

Your Voice is Powerful!

boy singing on microphone with pop filter

Use it to build the community you want to see and learn in.

YOU are an important stakeholder in every class culture and community that you will enter. It can be scary to really show up authentically - as yourself - especially online, but if you give it a try you will see the benefits. Aside from learning course content you can make life long friendships in your college courses. You can form networks that will support you long past graduation. You can also learn a lot about yourself! This is one of those "you get out of it what you put into it" situations.

grayscale photo of person and dog holding hands

We Need Trust for Community to Form

We all know that trust is needed to form friendships and to build community of any type. In online and hybrid learning we try to "humanize" a class. Since we are learning "behind" a computer screen it is very important to break through that wall and show up fully, this allows all of us to get to know each other. It develops trust and helps build the kind of learning community that will truly help you succeed! The more that each person in class can show up fully and authentically (including your professors), the more trust can be built - the more risks everyone will be willing to take - the more humanized your courses will become and the less it will feel like you are learning in isolation.

Some Steps to Establishing Community 

1. 1. Look for introductory discussion boards where you can say hello
  2. Ask about creating class guidelines (or norms) that you all agree upon
  3. Establish trust
  4. Seek out opportunities to collaborate as a group
  5. Problem solve together
  6. Embrace the challenge and see how you can grow.

The Value of Creating an Online Learning Community: Advice and Tips From Fellow Johnnies

(Video Runtimes 1:33, 1:32, 1:26)