What is an Online Learning Community? (Types & Benefits)

Demand for online education has grown rapidly in the past few years. According to Global EdTech Venture Capital Report-Full Year 2021, from 2017 to 2021, the US funding for educational technology has grown from $1 billion to $8 billion. 

In 2022, more than a quarter of students were classified as fully online learners, relying on digital solutions to gain new skills and earn credentials.

While online learning provides ease to students, it surely lacks the human interaction that one can have during the in-person learning process. To solve this problem, the online learning communities come to the rescue, offering learners opportunities for collaboration and growth beyond traditional classrooms.

The rise of online learning communities in the digital age has completely changed the way people think about learning. 

What is an online learning community?

An online learning community is a group of individuals with shared learning goals who connect with each other during a collaborative educational journey. The community members share insights, resources and knowledge with a goal to support each other through cohesive communication on a community platform.

Successful online learning communities: Real-life examples.

Following is some of the real-life examples of successful online learning communities:

​Peer 2 Peer University (P2PU):​

​Peer 2 Peer University is a nonprofit online open learning community where users organize and participate in courses and study groups on various topics. They use a particular approach known as learning circles, which consists of free, assisted study groups for those who wish to learn something collaboratively.

Khan Academy:​

Khan Academy is a free, nonprofit online learning platform offering courses in subjects like math, science, economics, and humanities. It promotes a strong online learning community through discussion forums, peer-to-peer help, and interactive exercises.

Millions of students worldwide use Khan Academy not just for content but also to engage with fellow learners and educators through Q&A discussions on lessons.

Benefits of online learning communities

The opportunity to engage with peers from different industries and geographical locations is a unique benefit for students taking online courses, which can lead to substantial career improvements.

Virtual learning communities offer many benefits, which are discussed below:

Improved co-learning opportunities

Collaborative learning in an online community provides improved understanding and better opportunities for the community members. Members are able to discuss and support each other which enhances their overall learning experience. 

Studies suggest that students retain 25% to 60% of what they learn online, a significant increase from the 8% to 10% retention rate in traditional settings.

Open communication

Online learning communities allow the members to engage with each other. This communication among the learners not only improves their understanding but also, it facilitates accessible interactions, from discussions with classmates to video chats with faculty, enhancing engagement.

Building connection with professionals

Students can interact with experts and professionals in their subject of interest through online learning communities. These relationships may result in internships, job offers, and mentorship opportunities. In a business course, for example, a student may converse with an experienced business owner to obtain insights which are not only theoretical but also based on practical experience.

Many successful online learning communities provide structured mentorship, career guidance, and networking opportunities. By encouraging direct connections between learners and industry professionals, these communities enhance skill-building and open doors to new career prospects.

Global perspectives

One of the unique features of virtual learning communities is the versatility of its members, which means there are learners from all around the world with different opinions, challenges and life experiences. This diversity allows the members to interact with peers from different cultural backgrounds and thus they  have a unique perspective on the area of their interest.  

Why must you create an online community for your course? 

If you are a course creator, having an online community can prove to be very beneficial for you.

Not only will it improve your brand reputation but also you will get direct feedback from the students. 

Here are some of the benefits of creating an online community: 

You can get loyal customers

Having a private virtual community ensures customer loyalty for your business. If your course has several parts or modules, the virtual community will act as a source of repeated sales from customers. 

This works particularly well if your courses expand on material from earlier courses. Encourage students who have completed your “beginners” course, for example, to enroll in your “advanced” course next. This can increase your income in addition to benefiting your learners!

Enhance the brand reputation of your course

One excellent strategy for enhancing a brand’s reputation is to create an online learning community. You can leverage your active group of motivated and engaging students as an advantage for your course. Your learning network is a great method to show that other individuals have begun to appreciate your course, which is something that consumers want to know.

Expand your professional network

Having an online community for your course is a great way to grow your professional network. You not only come across students from all over the world, but it is also a great way to expand your professional network. 

Cohort-based learning programs have gained popularity for their ability to develop deep engagement and collaboration among professionals. By structuring courses around live discussions, peer support, and expert mentorship, these communities enhance learning outcomes and build strong professional networks.

Moreover, if your course is good enough, the students will automatically refer you to their peers. This way, without any paid advertisement, your brand will get to a wider audience. 

It’s also an efficient technique to produce excellent leads for your course because you’re drawing in more like-minded individuals searching for solutions in a similar niche. Later on, it will be simpler to turn them into paying clients with a little more care.

Acquire direct feedback from the course participants

If you have an online community built around your course, this virtual space will act as a central point to directly interact with your students. 

You will be able to receive feedback directly from the students and hence you will be able to improve the course content. 

How to make an online learning community successful?

A learning community’s success depends on the overall community management, everyone’s active participation, and a dedication to ongoing development.

There are strategies you may employ to build engagement over time and ultimately create a genuine feeling of a long-lasting learning community.

Following are the 5 proven ways to attain a thriving virtual learning community:

Maintaining a regular public presence

As a course creator, you should show up to your students regularly so that they may connect with you in a better way. 

Consistent engagement, such as hosting weekly webinars or live Q&A sessions, keeps the community active and connected.

Remember that the tone and standards of your course will be greatly influenced by your first posts in the forum for discussions, your first emails to everyone, or the welcome you make on your course homepage.

Encouraging questions and discussions in the forum

You should encourage open questioning, so that the community members feel free to ask questions. 

For every lesson of the online course, it is therefore recommended to create a Q&A discussion thread. By responding to frequently asked questions and promoting contact, this not only enhances the learning experience but also saves the instructor time.

Creating dedicated forums or chat groups where members can pose questions and share insights cultivates a collaborative learning environment.

Frequent Announcements

Announcements enable you to establish a closer relationship with your students.

Regular updates about new resources, upcoming events, or member achievements keep the community informed and engaged.

From the very beginning day of class, remind students to look for the most recent announcements whenever they log in. Therefore, it is imperative that your course platform have a consistent announcement section.

So that was all about the online learning community. It is essential for every course creator to have a virtual community in order to fully benefit themselves and others from it. 

Assess your educational objectives and consider building a tailored online learning community to develop deeper connections with your learners. If you wish to create an online community for your course and are looking for a reliable community platform, sign up today. 

Online Learning Communities – FAQs

Q1: What is an online learning community?
An online learning community is a virtual space where learners engage, collaborate, and share knowledge in a structured way.

Q2: What are the benefits of an online learning community?

• Access to diverse learning resources
• Peer-to-peer support
• Flexible and self-paced learning

Q3: How do you create an online learning community?

• Choose a platform, such as TribeCrafter
• Define goals and guidelines
• Encourage member participation