Students engage more fully in courses when they have an opportunity to interact with their peers and feel they are part of a community of learners. This interaction must be an intentionally structured part of distance education course design, especially in asynchronous courses. Research asserts that courses lacking this essential component of the learning process can leave students feeling disconnected from the learning community and unengaged with the course content.
The Teaching and Learning Resource Center article, Student Interaction Online, details specific strategies and techniques for facilitating these interactions. In addition to structuring the course so that community building is facilitated, the instructor plays a pivotal role in Shaping a Positive Learning Environment.
While most instructors want to have great discussions (synchronously or by using tools like discussion boards), Facilitating Discussion effectively does require some planning and deliberate incentivizing of the type of discussion one would like to see. The use of videoconference tools, such as CarmenZoom, can be a great replacement for live in-person classes, but there are some important considerations when Creating an Inclusive Environment in CarmenZoom.
In the Spring of 2021, the Office of Distance Education hosted a Teaching Forum, Community Building in Online Courses, focused on these aspects of course design and delivery.