Building Community in Adult Online Professional Practice Doctoral Programs

• In Event: Professional Learning Communities

Abstract

Research suggests that “students in distance learning programs may experience isolation and alienation from the institution because of their physical separation from the school services and from other students” (Rovai & Wightin, 2005, p. 97). As such, it is critical to recognize the importance of building a community among these virtual learners and then act on ways to incorporate strategies to help them feel as if they belong to a tight-knit community, regardless of their proximity to each other or the brick and mortar campus.
We investigate the outcomes of one online EDD program that is working to transcend these criticisms related to poor human connection and a disjointed approach to online education through the development of learning communities.

Authors

• Cece Lively, Baylor University

• Brooke Blevins, Baylor University

• Sandra Talbert, Baylor University