{"id":5936,"date":"2020-06-30T21:05:58","date_gmt":"2020-06-30T21:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/tel\/?page_id=5936"},"modified":"2025-06-26T18:55:29","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T18:55:29","slug":"online_community_and_belonging","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/tel\/online_community_and_belonging\/","title":{"rendered":"How can I build a sense of community and belonging online?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Building a sense of community and belonging<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0important for maintaining\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">engagement of all types of learner, new and returning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cohort identity and cohesion emerges when students:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-weight: 400\">\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>experience authentic participation; <\/strong>arising\u00a0when students feel safe and supported to fully contribute their perspective. This is fostered by adopting inclusive approaches to communication (see below &#8216;Creating a culture of belonging&#8217;)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>are supported to have meaningful interaction with peers<\/strong> and create shared experiences<\/span>\u00a0(through design and modelling of interactions, for example, structuring group work)<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>have dedicated online spaces to become familiar with others,\u00a0<\/strong>develop shared understandings, trust and mutual respect, as a whole cohort and in smaller groups<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<style>#sp-ea-6011 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 500ms;}#sp-ea-6011.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-6011.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-6011.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #fff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-6011.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #eee;}#sp-ea-6011.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon { float: left; color: #444;font-size: 16px;}.sp-ea-one.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a {\r\n    padding: 10px !important;\r\n    color: #434343 !important;\r\n    background-color: #EAEAEA !important;\r\n    font-weight: normal !important;\r\n    font-size:1px !important;\r\n \r\n}\r\n.ea-expand-icon.fa {\r\n    color: #434343 !important;\r\n  }<\/style><div id=\"sp_easy_accordion-1751290681\"><div id=\"sp-ea-6011\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ea-active=\"ea-click\" data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-preloader=\"\" data-scroll-active-item=\"\" data-offset-to-scroll=\"0\"><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-60110\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse60110\" aria-controls=\"collapse60110\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Set up peer support Groups in your Blackboard module<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse60110\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-6011\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-60110\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During periods of remote teaching and learning,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">peer interaction is<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0important for enabling students to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">feel a sense of belonging to learning communities<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0within their courses.<\/span><\/p><ul style=\"font-weight: 400\"><li data-aria-posinset=\"9\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/TEL-Support-Staff\/key-topic-ultra-groups\/\">Blackboard\u00a0<\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Groups\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to create remote peer support networks<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and set a task to break the ice. Consider keeping this group together for a few informal activities or for group work projects, to give remote students time to really get to know some peers and establish authentic relationships in a small group.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"10\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When creating Groups, enable tools that will allow your students to interact exclusively with other members of the group via their Blackboard module, for example, the Email, File sharing and <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Discussion Forum.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-60111\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse60111\" aria-controls=\"collapse60111\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Encourage dialogue in online spaces<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse60111\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-6011\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-60111\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Online communications can alter the way we<\/strong> <strong>perceive each other and ourselves<\/strong>. F<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or example, online discussion groups may be inhibiting for students for whom English is not their first language, or students may be unfamiliar with the technologies used for live interaction. Consequently, students may lack confidence to fully contribute or express themselves, leading to feelings of anxiety, i<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">solation, imposter syndrome or perceptions of being an 'outsider'.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In summary, students need help to:<\/span><\/p><ul style=\"font-weight: 400\"><li data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Adapt to new ways of communicating to effectively engage<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Have the confidence to contribute and\/or voice concerns\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Feel like they are valued participants in the module community<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Implement a few practical steps to foster an inclusive online dialogue, such as:<\/span><\/p><ul style=\"font-weight: 400\"><li data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use of non-threatening icebreaker activities;\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Encouraging all students to share thoughts in a\u00a0non-judgemental\u00a0way;\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Establish some ground rules for online interactions (I.e. discussion boards, virtual meetings, group work etc.) and involve students in establishing these;\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Avoid and confront micro-aggressions and practice and promote micro-affirmations in online interactions (I.e. through monitoring of the chat panel during live interaction,\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ensure careful use of terminology, such as awareness of colloquial language, academic jargon and cultural context of metaphors<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"8\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\">Use break-out rooms\u00a0during live teaching (available in\u00a0<\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink BCX0 SCXW161625977\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/tel-support\/2020\/12\/17\/breakout-rooms-in-microsoft-teams\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW161625977\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Teams<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\">\u00a0meetings and\u00a0<\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink BCX0 SCXW161625977\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/tel-support\/2020\/08\/14\/blackboard-collaborate-using-breakout-groups\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW161625977\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Collaborate<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\">)\u00a0and give presenting roles to students for sharing feedback. See\u00a0also;\u00a0tips for\u00a0<\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink BCX0 SCXW161625977\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/tel\/online-teaching-toolkits\/using-webinars-in-t-l\/how-can-i-communicate-with-my-students-in-a-webinar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW161625977\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">communicating with students in\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun Underlined BCX0 SCXW161625977\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">a webinar<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun BCX0 SCXW161625977\">\u00a0to see more options for involving students in live teaching to encourage dialogue.<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-60112\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse60112\" aria-controls=\"collapse60112\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Create discussion forums as the module unfolds<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse60112\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-6011\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-60112\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">S<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">et up <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/tel\/sample-page\/learning-activities\/discussion-forums\/\">Blackboard\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">discussion forum<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">s<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">\u00a0to answer FAQs<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">\u00a0and gather questions<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">\u00a0or opinions<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">\u00a0prior to live teaching<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">\u00a0(and reduce individual student queries\/emails).<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">\u00a0Check the posts regularly and respond in\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">a timely<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">\u00a0manner<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW212597697 BCX0\">You could communicate a regular time (for example, weekly time slot) when you will be checking\/posting.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW212597697 BCX0\"><span class=\"SCXW212597697 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Forums can also be used for social activities and to facilitate smaller group discussions. Consider creating new forums as new topics\u00a0or\u00a0discussion points arise during the module, to pose questions for the whole module to participate or for specific <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/tel-support\/2019\/03\/08\/blackboard-groups\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">groups<\/a> of students.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As with classroom discussion, student engagement is unlikely without structure and some planned teacher intervention. Therefore, when deploying discussion boards;<\/span><\/p><ul><li data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Clearly indicate the point of the forum<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Make the first post yourself<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Model engagement by posting questions\/opinions\/reflections and responding to others<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Support can be gradually withdrawn as learners become more independent and discussion shifts to more learner&gt;learner interaction.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-60113\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse60113\" aria-controls=\"collapse60113\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Mark the key milestones (beyond signposting)<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse60113\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-6011\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-60113\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Signify key points in the term, such as the end of a project, end of the first week, the end of term etc. You could record a message to draw attention to the module progress, \u00a0student successes or b<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ring everyone together for an\u00a0ad-hoc virtual social:<\/span><\/p><ul style=\"font-weight: 400\"><li data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW110369112 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110369112 BCX0\">Consider host a\u00a0weekly virtual drop in at the start of term. Start with a format where you take the lead and are on hand to answer questions.\u00a0Create a friendly environment and\u00a0begin with a short check-in\u00a0to see how\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW110369112 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110369112 BCX0\">everyone\u2019s<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW110369112 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110369112 BCX0\">\u00a0doing. To close the session, everyone shares one thing that went well, and one thing to focus on for the week ahead<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110369112 BCX0\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW110369112 BCX0\">Smaller group sizes\u00a0will be more manageable and productive online, so you may wish to divide your time or schedule slots for specific groups to meet.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW110369112 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As the group becomes more familiar they may feel confident to lead elements of a virtual social or continue these without your presence required.<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You might nominate students or groups to lead some activities during the session, to get others posting in the chat.<\/span><\/li><li data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keep it simple, create a quiz (or nominate students to do this) and ask everyone how they are getting on.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Building a sense of community and belonging\u00a0is\u00a0important for maintaining\u00a0engagement of all types of learner, new and returning.\u00a0 Cohort identity and cohesion emerges when students: experience authentic participation; arising\u00a0when students feel safe and supported to fully contribute their perspective. This is fostered by adopting inclusive approaches to communication (see below &#8216;Creating a culture of belonging&#8217;) are [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How can I build a sense of community and belonging online? - Technology Enhanced Learning<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/tel\/online_community_and_belonging\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How can I build a sense of community and belonging online? - Technology Enhanced Learning\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Building a sense of community and belonging\u00a0is\u00a0important for maintaining\u00a0engagement of all types of learner, new and returning.\u00a0 Cohort identity and cohesion emerges when students: experience authentic participation; arising\u00a0when students feel safe and supported to fully contribute their perspective. 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