Building an Engaged Online Community: Strategies for Incorporating Community into Your Online Course

What’s the best part of going to college? It’s being a part of the community, collaborating, building relationships, and learning together. Unfortunately, online courses, although accessible to many people across the globe, often lack the social aspect that traditional institutions provide. Does it mean that your online course students or employees need to study in silos? Not really! You can provide them with a social aspect of learning by incorporating community into your online course or eLearning program. In this blog post, we’ll share how to build an engaged community alongside your online course. 

5 Strategies for Building an Online Community Inside Your Course

#1 Utilize LMS Community Features

One great way to encourage community engagement is by using the community features in your learning management system (LMS). Platforms like Kajabi have built-in community functions that work like private social networks within your online course. 

They're similar to a private Facebook group, where learners can post, comment, and have discussions about the course content. By promoting interaction among participants, it boosts collaboration and enriches the learning experience.

#2 Facebook Groups as Community Platforms

If your LMS doesn't have built-in community functions, you can leverage the power of Facebook groups to establish a private community for your course. Simply create a dedicated private Facebook group for your course participants, and you'll have a space where interactions can flourish, discussions can take place, and peer-to-peer support can be encouraged. 

To ensure active participation and uphold the community's values, it's essential to designate a community manager who can oversee and moderate the group effectively.

#3 Engage through Module Comment Sections

Most LMS platforms offer comment sections for individual course modules. Encouraging learners to utilize these comment sections enables them to ask questions, seek clarification, and engage with the course content on a deeper level. As the course creator, it's important to actively respond to these comments, offering valuable insights and addressing any queries. By promoting interaction within the module comment sections, you foster a collaborative learning environment where participants can learn from one another's experiences and perspectives.

#4 Conduct Virtual Calls

Virtual calls provide an opportunity for direct interaction between the course creator and the learners, as well as fostering connections among participants. 

These calls can take on various forms, such as monthly coaching sessions, group discussions, or casual virtual hangouts. By organizing virtual calls, you allow learners to connect, discuss course topics, and gain insights from their peers. Offering different tiers with virtual call options can further enhance the learning experience and community engagement.

#5 Organize In-person Meetups

Taking the online community offline and organizing in-person meetups can be a powerful way to strengthen the connections among learners. These meetups can range from casual gatherings in a specific city to premium retreat experiences. In-person meetups provide an opportunity for participants to network, share experiences, and deepen their relationships beyond the virtual environment. Offering in-person meetups as an add-on to your course can create unique, value-added experiences for your community members.

Conclusion

Knowing how to build an engaged online community is a crucial aspect of any online course or eLearning program. By incorporating community functions, leveraging Facebook groups, encouraging engagement through module comment sections, conducting virtual calls, and organizing in-person meetups, you can create a thriving and interactive community that enhances the learning journey for your students. Remember to tailor these strategies to the specific needs and preferences of your learners, ensuring that you can deliver on the commitment required to foster an engaged online community.