Constructivist Learning Environments and Defining the Online Learning Community.

Abstract

The online learning community is frequently referred to, but ill defined. The constructivist philosophy and approach to teaching and learning is both an effective means of constructing an online learning community and it is a tool by which to define key elements of the learning community. In order to build a nurturing, self-sustaining online learning community, teachers who follow the constructivist philosophy allow students to self-discover, to evaluate and reflect on the progress innate to their own learning, while providing the function of a guide and a coach during the learning process. A constructivist learning environment is evident by students who take charge of their own learning outcomes in a student-centered environment, by students who work collaboratively with other students to create their own goals and learning parameters, and by the demonstration of respect for other learners whose approaches and experiences are extensively different. The online learning community is defined by the idea that effective learning and the presence of a community are intrinsically linked. Community is established and reinforced when staff and other students interact in a manner that demonstrates genuine caring for each other, which in turn translates into increased learning and teaching efficacy. The constructivist approach creates effective learning environments by forming, fostering, and maintaining the presence of community in the distance learning venue.