PROJECT+LearningCommunities

Learning Communities : On-line student learning communities

=On-line student learning communities=

==I promised to write a bit about on-line student learning communities. A few faculty here at Ulster have agreed to pilot this idea this spring semester. What I had in mind was that the class would be divided into groups of about 4 to 5 students and each of those groups would interact outside of class asynchronously. The interaction could include the following:==

* making up nemonics to help remember information
==I think the instructor probably needs to create the groups so that all the top performing students don't get together in one group. The instructor should also probably monitor the groups, but not take a very visible role. The idea is for the students to take charge of their own learning and support each other. It would be helpful of course if the instructor could correct misinformation if it appeared. Instructors could also use the on-line student learning groups to hold periodic on-line office hours.==

John Ganio, PhD
Dean of Academic Affairs Ulster County Community College