Fostering a Sense of Community in Virtual Learning: What the Evidence Says

This presentation will focus on the development of communities of practice and strategies to foster a sense of community among students in an online program. Engaging in an activity will provide participants with a lived experience of what it takes to initiate a community of practice.

1.    Discuss the four dimensions of a sense of community.

2.    Identify the stages and phases of community.

3.    Describe the importance of a sense of community in successful engagement of online learning.