title: Developing and establishing online student learning communities.
abstract: Developing effective learning communities is an important component of Web-based courses. Learning communities offer a social context for learning that greatly enhances the knowledge acquisition of all involved parties. This article describes the development of an effective learning community among Web-based RN-BSN students. The characteristics of the cohort leading to an effective learning community included supportiveness, open sharing of oneself, and socialization.
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Lubbock, 79430, USA. Donna.tilley@ttuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Donna Scott
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Tilley
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boswell
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cannon
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000458:organization & administration; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004518:Education, Professional, Retraining / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004645:Empathy; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009862:Online Systems; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012944:Social Support; D012951:Socialization; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*