The technical aspect of such a project may well be the easy part.

Instead of live chat in Adobe Connect, Teams Meeting, Zoom, email, Moodle messaging, and forum posts, keep all those communication styles together in one app.

Affective responses such as expressing emotion and using humorInteractive responses such as continuing a discussion thread, referring to other students in a message or post, asking questions, and expressing agreement or appreciationsCohesive responses such as using other students' names, using inclusive pronouns to refer to their group or class, and engaging in small talk.

Indicators of Social Presence includeAffective responses such as expressing emotion and using humorInteractive responses such as continuing a discussion thread, referring to other students in a message or post, asking questions, and expressing agreement or appreciationsCohesive responses such as using other students' names, using inclusive pronouns to refer to their group or class, and engaging in small talkLowenthal 2014 If students can make interpersonal connections with others, they are more likely to engage with the course and the content.

Social presence is important especially at the beginning of the semester when students are getting to know and trust both you and one another.

Rovai & Wighting (2005) state “students who feel lonely or isolated will invest more energy in seeking a sense of community and support than in learning.”.

Discussion forums – no rich media, not real-time, not notificationsWhatsapp – persona, no lecturers, sharing phone numbersTeams wasn’t really in that space in 2018Slack is real-time, customisable, we have control, GDPR compliantSlack provides a rich environment for communication, collaboration and community!Slack is used in industry.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY Cohesive responses (using students names, small talk).Interactive responses (adding to threads, asking Qs, agreeing.They are more likely to engage with the course and the content. If students can make interpersonal connections with others, When students are getting to know and trust both you and one another. It is important especially at the beginning of the semester This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NDīeing perceived as “a real person” in mediated communicationĬreating a sense of community and connection, Community creates a better learning experience for.Isolation leads to higher dropout rates.Learning communities play a significant role in ensuring that or share their interest and passion for certain subjects.help each other through tricky material.Without community, education is a lonely place. Invest more energy in seeking a sense of community

With changes and difficulties in society at large. The community has a shared and emotional sense ofĬommunity “provides a place in which individuals areįree to express their identities, and helps them deal Sense of belonging or personal relatedness. Fully online, award winning ICT Skills conversion courseĪ community exists when its members experience a.Transforming Communication on Online Courses using Slack

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