Developing Online Learning Communities

By Dr. Cal Stanley

Teachers often work in isolation, and many districts are grappling with how to create
professional learning communities. Learning communities are excellent ways for
teachers to share pedagogical strategies and lesson plans. However, districts often do
not have the time or money to allow teachers to meet with each other on a weekly
basis. What if there were a way teachers could meet with each other 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. Through the gift of a wiki, teachers can share their thoughts, lesson plans
and activities.
Professional Learning Communities
A professional learning community is typically formed by educators who desire to see a
more collaborative culture than one of isolationism. Development of ideas from a larger
body rather than from individual thought -- a collective, in which teachers from a school
or district can get together and come up with solutions to overcome student
deficiencies.
While face-to-face meetings are desirable and effective, they are not always timely or
efficient. There are ways to provide more timely interaction than the occasional district
wide meetings. That would be through online knowledge management software.
Knowledge Management
A wiki provides a common place for information to be shared. Each member has editing
rights and can contribute to a body of knowledge. Wikis have extensive histories, giving
users the ability to see what was edited, when it was edited, and who edited the entry.
Multiple wikis can be developed either by grade level or subject area. Within the wiki,
multiple pages can also entered, these pages can be developed either by content
objectives, textbook chapters, learning outcomes, or by national, state or district
standards.
A wiki, like any project needs a coordinator, not someone who controls what is being put
on the wiki, but someone who keeps the wiki organized and who can help inspire others
to input information. Remember that a collaborative environment means everyone
participates and the more ideas the better, it is up to the user/reader to determine what
information is useful to their situation.
A total online environment is not recommended, face-to-face meetings often provide
individuals with the ability to get accustom to each others characteristics and to develop
a rapport with each other. Face-to-face meetings also provide a way to clear up
misunderstandings that can often arise when someone is in a hurry when writing things
in an online environment.