The online learning community: strategies, problems and issues

Online learning communities are being touted as meeting the needs of distance learners and providing flexibility for on-campus students. Currently expectations are not being realized partly owing to a lack of experience and understanding of how such communities evolve, and the constraints and problems experienced by the learners. In this paper some strategies are identified that will inform designers and lecturers on the creation and sustainability of online learning communities. Problems and issues encountered in the development of a learning community will help to provide further insight into the time and effort needed to develop and sustain online learning communities.