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The 6th Annual ALN Conference Adelphi, MD November 3-5, 2000. Presented by Pam Hanfelt, PhD & Cheryl Doran, PhD. Orientation, Support and the Development of Learning Communities Online. Capella Learning Community. Definition:
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The 6th Annual ALN ConferenceAdelphi, MD November 3-5, 2000 Presented byPam Hanfelt, PhD &Cheryl Doran, PhD
Orientation, Support and the Development of Learning Communities Online
Capella Learning Community • Definition: • A network of students, faculty, alumni, and support personnel who work collaboratively to deepen the individual and group learning experiences in our distance learning environment.
Underlying Tenets of Learning Community • Equality of members faculty & students • Collaboration vs. Competition
Scope of Learning Community • Within an • Online Course University-Wide
Participants • Students • Faculty • Support Personnel
Capella Learners are: Adult learners Graduate students Dispersed Geographically Working Professionals Students
Instructors Experienced Teaching Adults Mentors Dispersed Geographically Faculty
University Services help line & online assistance Cyber Librarian Alumni Peers Research Associates Career Development supported by alumni Student Networks Support Personnel
Formation of Learning Community • Begins During Orientation • Continues within Online Courses • Encouraged University-Wide
Orientation • Early intervention helps promote student integration in learning community. • Students benefit from shared experience. • Students gain understanding of role as Capella Learners.
Community within Courses • Based on premise learning is shared activity • Interactivity encouraged via discussions • Learner collaboration/networking • Learner profiles and emails posted
Newsletter School e-groups Residency Options Online learner directory Webcast Graduation Ceremony Learner Reps Campus e-groups Discussion Forums Regional Learner Networks Residency Highlights Online Alumni Activities University-Wide
Challenges to Developing and Sustaining Community • Lack of face-to-face communication • Social scaffolding of website • Limitations of technology/ • bandwidth • Cutting edge vs.. bleeding edge
Future Exploration • Live chats within courses • Experimenting with course models • Enhanced audio/visual • Continuously improving website • Student web pages
Thank You! Pam Hanfelt, PhD phanfelt@capella.edu Cheryl Doran, PhDmrdgrpcd@transport.com Capella University330 2nd Ave SoSuite 550Minneapolis, MN 554011-888-CAPELLA (227-3552) www.capellauniversity.edu