This document series provides an overview of key teaching strategies (including links to additional resources) for fostering community in an online course. While framing these strategies is targeted toward a fully asynchronous online course, they are also relevant for courses being offered in any modality.

[Note: The content you will explore here has been modified from its original version as an asynchronous micro-course offered to faculty in August 2022. Some language in the following text and/or videos may refer to this course. Future offerings can be found at ctlm.wisc.edu/deepen-your-skills]

Learning Objectives

As the title implies, this document series will help you develop important skills to foster a learning community in an online course. After reviewing the content found in the three links below, you will be able to:

• Differentiate between community in-person and community in online courses.
• Promote a welcoming online course environment.
• Select strategies for moderating asynchronous discussions.
• Identify ways to maintain interaction throughout the course.

Get Started

This content is organized in a way that guides you through common questions about fostering community in the online environment. While you can explore the three topics in any order, we recommend the sequence below:

1. Community in an online course
2. Community building in my online course
3. What strategies can enhance community in my online course?