Community Writing Project

Summer 2009

Practitioner Document – ABSTRACT

This Practitioner Document compiles feedback from the OLC Community Writing Project. The catalyst for the Project was a May 2009 Department of Education report that states “…on average students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.” Participants of the ongoing Community Writing Project use the OLC Wiki as a platform to respond to the Department of Education report and share their insights into what makes online education effective. A transcript of the full Community Writing Project document is available for paid OLC members.

Community Writing Project (sample):

  • One thing that always works for me is having a guest from far away attend class…The university “bubble” is thus broken and students begin to believe that the world exists outside the campus.
  • The online environment also gives the instructor/facilitator a change to explore group work more effectively.
  • Students can attend online classes from home or a dormitory room when they are sick or are recovering…a side benefit is not spreading disease through a student on-ground population.
  • Allow students to engage in Experiential Learning by working or serving in their own community, or globally (through online resources).
  • I teach a lot of students who are traveling—some who take vacations far away. But, they keep coming to classes that are taught online.

With acknowledgements to the participants of the OLC Community Writing Project Summer 2009 for their contributions to the discussions that formed the basis for this Practitioner Document – Thank you.

Member’s only resource: please log in to see the full document (available November15) . Don’t have an OLC membership? Please take a moment to look at our membership options.

Member only – PDF document:
application/pdf iconpractitioner_communitywriting.pdf