Relationships are the foundation of learning. When students feel connected to their teacher and their peers, theyโre more likely to thrive. How can teachers forge these connections within a remote learning environment?
For education consultant Lainie Rowell, thatโs the central question facing educators as theyโve moved instruction entirely online amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
โCultivating a community of learners is critical,โ says Rowell, an author and international speaker who facilitates professional learning for the Orange County, Calif., Department of Educationโs Institute for Leadership Development.
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Building community has always been important for educators. In an online learning environment, where teachers and students arenโt face to face every day, itโs even more critical for success. If students donโt feel like a valued and important member of a community of learners, then they arenโt as likely to engage in lessons remotely.
Rowell hosts a podcast called โLemonade Learningโ with fellow educator and consultant Brianna Hodges. Based on ideas they discussed in their podcast and that Rowell shared in an interview, here are five effective strategies for building a community of learners online.
Engage students in norm-setting.
Just like they would in a face-to-face setting, teachers have to establish ground rules for acceptable behavior in learning online. Involving students in this process helps build a sense of community.
