4 Ways Community Managers Can Contribute to the Education Sector

Curators. Moderators. Analysts. Strategists.

There are many roles a community manager has to play.

Regardless of the nature of the online community, it thrives and sustains on the capabilities of its managers. It is not surprising that the education industry is leveraging communities to encourage two-way conversations. That is why communities have become a primary medium to foster learning. Just like a teacher plays a crucial role in a classroom, a community manager plays a key role in educational communities.

So, what roles and responsibilities does a community manager play in the online education sector?

Let’s explore what it takes to foster engagement in a learning-oriented community and how a community manager can facilitate it.

Community Managers and Online Learning: The Link

Community managers are well-versed in leading conversations in a more empathetic way by educating, mentoring, and engaging members. They incorporate engagement efforts with a problem-solving mind-set instead of imposing penalties on the members. As a result, they can effectively turn an unproductive conflict into opportunities for greater understanding and seamless collaboration. And this mind-set is a must in online spaces that facilitate learning of any kind. Thus, community managers are pivotal in encouraging online learning.

Here are some key roles a community manager plays in online learning-

• Monitoring and moderating community engagement
• Collecting feedback from associated members of the community
• Acting as a link between learners and instructors
• Strategize learning curriculum
• Share relevant learning content across the community

How Community Managers Encourage Learning-Oriented Ecosystems Within Communities

A community manager is an ever-evolving job title that focuses on boosting engagement around a common purpose. Be it brand promotion, increasing productivity, or empowering learning, their core job role is to take care of the community in every possible manner. Thus, they need to learn new tactics, disciplines, and practices on the go.

When the pandemic hit, the education industry shifted dramatically. Now, online learning is normalized and practiced on a daily basis. Community managers are already familiar with engaging people in virtual spaces. That is why they are the quickest to adapt to this sudden shift.

Enhancing learning within communities requires community managers to –

1. Keep the Conversation Focused

The key to unlocking high-quality learning is to create a learning-focused platform where members are not hesitant to raise queries. Whether it is a webinar or virtual classroom, the space needs to be monitored in line with the established rules to regulate behavior. After the webinar/event ends, invite the attendees to an online community to extend the conversation on the subject. The community manager creates an environment where members are encouraged to ask twice in case of lack of clarity. They support participants to ask questions, discuss freely, and learn more from their peers.

2. Take Connection Beyond the Classroom

A community manager facilitates learning even after the learning session ends. Members can connect after the class in the community to discuss the subject or network in the industry. They update relevant resources like learning materials, notes, etc., in the resource library to streamline the learning experience. These updates are valuable for everyone involved including the students and instructors. In return, consistent updates empower a sustainable learning environment beyond the classroom.

3. Motivate and Reward

Healthy competition can increase learning in the community. And to bring a sense of healthy competition, a community manager can incorporate gamification elements to encourage participation and overall learning.

For instance, they can post surprise pop-quizzes in the community from time to time. And, every time a member successfully completes the quiz, they get a badge or trophy as an appreciation. Or, they can create leaderboards to showcase the achievements of the members to foster participation. Incentivizing the efforts of the participants within the community keeps learners motivated to engage more in the community.

4. Identify and Bridge the Gaps in the Curriculum

Since a community manager acts as the link between the learners and instructors, they can also speak to them about their learning experiences. Based on their feedback, the community manager can identify the gaps in the curriculum and collaborate with instructors to bridge those gaps. In return, they can encourage social learning by incorporating the perspectives and understandings of both students and instructors. This way, community managers not only enhance the original material but also increase its relevancy.

While there are limitless benefits of learning-oriented communities, an experienced community manager is imperative to reap those benefits. Education is most effective with a high level of productive interaction between learners, instructors, content, and the technology itself. And, a capable community manager is an asset that can facilitate quality engagement for an exceptional learning experience.

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