The concept of a community of learners is closely linked to the concept of online courses such as MOOC or Blended Learning. It encourages the development of informal learning through working groups, as well as Social learning. The latter can be on a dedicated space, such as an educational platform, but also on general public tools such as Discord, Slack or social networks.
Generally, Learner communities want to work together towards a common goal and agree on the means to achieve it, while enjoying evolving together. To these learners will be added teachers, trainers but also the entire ecosystem that surrounds them: external stakeholders, associations, business tutors, etc.
There are 3 characteristics common to people who are members of a community of learners, essential for everyone to go in the same direction: attention, dialogue and mutual aid.
- Attention : community members want to do circulate within the group of best practices, knowledge and techniques. They are also attentive to the needs expressed by other members and do not hesitate to facilitate connections.
- The dialogue : he is fuelled by reactions to certain messages or the exchange of views on a subject. This dialogue allows community members to build relationships.
- Mutual aid : members of a learning community have a natural tendency to help and encourage each other to prevent a person from feeling isolated.
For the community to function, it is necessary to put in place a framework that encourages the engagement of its members as well as that of its directors.
Step 1: Define the type of community
There are three types of community in a training system:
- The community of interest : she sharing information around a specific, often specific subject and with very specific knowledge or information that may be difficult to find via traditional channels (Google, social networks, etc.)
- Learning communities : they allow members to Help each other reach learning goals together. Its success depends in part on the educational intention, the activities that the learners must carry out but also on the emulsion of social exchanges. It is possible to set it up before the start of a training course, but there is little chance that it will last as it is once it is over. However, it is not impossible for its members to choose to set up their own community later in order to stay in touch or for it to become a community of practice.
- The community of practice : it allows share her “tips and tricks” in order to solve operational problems or to identify and advertise and promote the skills of others. It is The community that is most likely to be sustainable because members maintain a link and share resources that are difficult to find elsewhere.
-> What actions should be put in place?
- Identify learners' needs;
- Choose the most appropriate type of learning community
Step 2: Establish clear rules
For a community to be “learning”, it is essential to establish clear rules.
First of all, it is necessary to Give time limits, both for the exercises offered in person and as part of distance training. It is also about giving fixed schedules for example, to be able to participate in certain workshops to set up a work rhythm.
The second rule is the establishment of places, physical or virtual, dedicated to exchanges. For example, this makes it possible not to invade a discussion space relating to a learning area with other topics.
It is then necessary to determine the topics of exchange and learning to facilitate mutual aid between learners.
Finally, you have to Define the forms of knowledge exchange through workshops, by leaving spaces for informal discussions or by creating video tutorials or text guides complementary to the workshops, courses and exercises offered.
-> What actions should be put in place?
- Give time limits for exercises;
- Establish fixed schedules for workshops;
- Define exchange themes;
- Promote exchanges in dedicated spaces and workshops.
Step 3: Animate the community
When the community exists, it is then necessary to stimulate a dynamic to stimulate the interest of the members.
It starts with launch events randomly to create a surprise and invite people to exchange, share their knowledge, etc. These mini-events are based on the same principle as ideation workshops.
Maintaining the interest of the community is just as important. Members must be valued by communicating externally: case studies, interviews, etc.
Finally, It is essential to promote a sense of belonging and to boost the feeling of recognition by setting up a network of ambassadors among learners on a voluntary basis.
-> What actions should be put in place?
- Start random events;
- Valuing members to maintain the interest of the community;
- Foster a sense of belonging.
