Fostering Successful Learning Communities to Meet the Diverse Needs of University Students

Abstract

This paper introduces the reader on how to fostersuccessful learning communities to meet the diverse needsof university students by creating a brain based onlinelearning environment. Students come in all shapes and sizes. At the university level, students enrolled in online programs, have made a choice to do so. Today, online education is a unique and important venue for manystudents wishing to continue (or start) their education. It is part of a new culture with many distinct characteristics (Farrell, 2001). For instructors, online instruction creates its own set of challenges in terms of the course design and implementation. The author hopes that developing an understanding of how to create a brain based onlinelearning environment will inform the reader of ways to foster successful learning communities to most effectivelymeet the diverse needs of the students it serves.