Changing Educational Models with Online Communities in Digital Learning Environments

Abstract

In this conference paper, we will talk about the changing role of non-traditional learning platforms in online learning models. Moreover, we will also talk about how online communities can help students learn in new ways. The study looked at various online platforms where students learn like online courses, digital forums and social media communities governed by the online instructors. These places help people learn in their way, explore topics on their own, and share what they know with people from different countries. This paper examines how online communities’ work. It shows how they can provide education without any discrimination. It shows that people can learn even in remote areas with little money. This paper strongly revolves around one of the four streams of the conference i.e. “Online Networks and Social Change”. It depicts the role of social media communities in promoting online learning communities that make learning interesting. In this paper, through the help of scholarly articles and literature reviews of various authors, we discuss how we can use online communities more effectively in education. We should think about ways to make learning better through online communities.

Keywords: Online Community, Online Education, Distance learning, Social Change, Online network

Introduction

In this modern world, the mode of education is rapidly changing because of online learning communities. These forums help students learn in new ways, especially when traditional school education is not available for any particular reason. These online communities are like virtual forums/places where people can learn together more easily and flexibly. Online communities break these barriers and make learning possible for more people, whenever and wherever they want. Traditional education is limited by tangible things like classrooms and schools. The change shows how digital and social media are evolving the way we learn and share information.

This paper discusses how online communities are transforming non-traditional learning environments. By promoting new learning methods, these platforms have enabled the common man to gain an education which was unimaginable previously. In this study, we examine how online communities make education more interesting and fairer. We examine how they work and how they can help in social change for a better future.

In this conference, we will argue about the traditional learning platforms and realize the importance of online education. This fits with the conference theme about online networks and social change. By inspecting the effect of online communities, it helps us understand better how people learn in different ways. This sets up a conversation about how teachers, leaders, and learners can use online communities to make learning better.

 

Background

There are mainly two types of education; traditional and non-traditional. It’s been a long debate over the pros and cons of traditional and non-traditional learning environments. In traditional learning environments, there are physical classrooms, a fixed curriculum and a one-size-fits-all approach. On the other hand, non-traditional learning environments are more flexible, easier to adapt and focus on the needs, background and field of interest of each student. These learning environments are often steered by the internet/technology to provide distance learning, asynchronous courses, and personalized learning paths. This mode of learning changes how we think about education.

The rise of the internet and digital technologies has enabled the evolution of online communities, marking a prominent change in the non-traditional learning infrastructure. These communities/communities can be on websites, social media, or Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). They are like big communities where people share their ideas and learn from each other’s support and knowledge. These online communities are different from traditional schools and colleges because they are open to everyone, easy to access, and connect people from all over the globe. Anyone can benefit from this, with just a stable internet connection and a laptop or personal computer.

This educational evolution line up with one of the four streams of the conference i.e. “Online Networks and Social Change”. It inspects the influence of digital media and online networks on social structures, including education. These collaborative platforms have enabled a stronger and more collaborative learning environment by enabling the connection between people of diverse cultures across the world.

Online communities provide a unique opportunity for instructors to come up with new ideas and suggestions to change education. Through this study, we can understand how online communities are changing the learning infrastructure beyond traditional learning spaces like physical schools and colleges.

Assertion 1: Enhanced Accessibility

By eliminating traditional barriers to education, online communities surpass non-traditional learning environments due to their ease of access. These barriers can be several types such as regional, financial, and zonal. With a stable internet connection and a device such as a laptop or computer, students can easily access learning resources, course curriculum and instructor’s lecture recordings from home. Due to its greater accessibility, it is also beneficial for the students and learning enthusiasts who don’t have proper access to the traditional educational resources. 

The internet has made it easy for people to learn from anywhere in the world, no matter where they live. These online communities make it easy for people to learn remotely across the globe. Furthermore, these online communities are generally free of cost, so people don’t have to pay too much for learning. This makes education cheaper and accessible to everyone.

Since you can choose when to learn, online communities make learning easier. In traditional schools, you have to be in class at a certain time, which can be difficult if you have a family or work commitment. With online communities, you can learn when you can. It helps people with busy lives keep learning and growing even after they have finished school.

Researchers studied how online communities help people learn. In a study published in the “Journal of Online Learning and Teaching” by Smith and Smith in 2020, people said they could learn better because they didn’t have to worry about where they lived or how much money they had. Another study by Johnson et al. in 2019 showed that online communities where people can learn at different times are important. They help people who don’t learn in traditional ways take part in online learning communities.

The power of online communities is that they enable people to learn, share knowledge globally, and overcome barriers to learning. They make it easier for people all around the world to learn.

Assertion 2: Innovative Learning Methods

Our learning process has been changed in a huge way by online communities. They make learning fun, interactive, and something we do together. Learning together, like in a group game or by helping one another, makes education better. By using websites such as Udemy, Coursera, and Khan Academy, we can all help one another learn. The websites allow us to give feedback to one another, improving everyone’s learning experience. Together, students gain a greater understanding of one another, feel closer to one another, and are more willing to help one another.

Duolingo and Codecademy, for example, use game-like features in places that aren’t games to keep people interested. Websites like these give points, badges, and show rankings to make learning fun and engaging. People can feel more motivated and do better in their studies when learning is made fun in this way. It was found in a study that gamification helps students pay attention and do better in school, showing it can be very useful for learning.

The use of the internet to let students and teachers work together more effectively is helping to make learning easier, more suitable, and more enjoyable for everyone. These new ways of learning can really shake things up. They allow students and teachers to learn together better, providing an exciting and well-rounded learning experience. School should use them more to help all students.

Assertion 3: Promoting Comprehensiveness

The use of the internet to let students and teachers work together more effectively is helping to make learning easier, more suitable, and more enjoyable for everyone. These new ways of learning can really shake things up. They allow students and teachers to learn together better, providing an exciting and well-rounded learning experience. School should use them more to help all students.

People with disabilities, people with jobs, or those who live far from schools can benefit from online communities because they make it easier for them to learn as much as anybody else. People with disabilities might find it difficult to move around in traditional schools, so online classes are a good option for them. The “International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning” mentions that online classes are beneficial for them.

A student can learn from a variety of different ideas and views through online courses on websites like Coursera or EdX. This mix of cultures and backgrounds makes learning better. Taking a class about health around the world, for example, not only helps students understand health problems from different places, but it also provides them with a chance to hear about those problems. In this way, everyone can better understand and respond to global health issues.

Rather than feeling left out in a normal classroom, online classes let everyone take their time and be part of the discussions, even if they have trouble with language or need more time to understand.

Many people who wish to learn but do not have much money can find online groups very helpful. Many of these groups offer free or cheap classes to make learning easier for everyone. The “Massive Open Online Courses for Africa” program, for example, offers free learning to a large number of Africans. By doing so, many more people can learn new things their entire lives.

Increasing inclusiveness and comprehensiveness in online communities requires digital literacy skills and addressing the digital gap. Online learning environments are becoming increasingly inclusive as technology continues to advance and governments and educational institutions respond to these challenges. As a result of ongoing technological advancements, despite these challenges, online learning environments are becoming more inclusive as a result of technological advancements.

Education is becoming more equitable and reachable for everyone thanks to online communities. The way we learn is changing, making it easier and more accessible for everyone. It is a belief that education should be accessible to all. We can see that online learning places are good at including everyone when we look at real examples and studies. This shows their importance to creating a future where education is accessible to everyone.

Critical Analysis using Counterarguments

There are also some people who are not in favor of online communities in case of education. They argue that the effectiveness of the communication and collaboration is not as effective as it is in person. Moreover, they also say that the availability of digital resources is also not same for all users, due to which they are unable to attend classes. This can make some people feel lonely at times. As a result, online learning has both benefits and challenges.

Technology has improved over the years, so you can talk to people online more effectively now. With new tools like virtual reality, you feel as if you’re in a real classroom. These criticisms don’t make online communities less useful. Online learning is flexible and easy to get to, which is more important than the problems of not being face-to-face. People are also working to help everyone have access to the internet and technology, regardless of their financial situation. In this way, people who previously could not learn can now learn.

Teachers and tech experts need to listen to what people are worried about when it comes to online school. Addressing these concerns at the right platform may bring some good news to these online communities.

 

Conclusion

Thanks to online communities for the reforms, it brings to the world of online education. Hence, we can say that online education is way better than traditional education in various means. Online communities make learning more equitable and connect people from all over the world as technology improves and more people can use the internet. Participating in online communities helps people gain important skills for the modern world. They gain a better understanding of complex issues and can work with a variety of people. The future of education lies in the online communities enabled by digital platforms. Digital platforms allow everyone to learn and make a difference in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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