Online education’s popularity has grown in the past several years, and for good reason: You can gain critical skills from top-tier instructors on your own schedule no matter where you are in the world—often for a fraction of the cost of an in-person course.
Yet, one of online education’s often-cited drawbacks is its lack of opportunity for human connection.
In a world where learners are scattered across the globe and can complete the same course on their own timelines, where does social interaction come in?
Enter the online learning community.
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DOWNLOAD NOWWhat Is an Online Learning Community?
An online learning community is a group of online learners who interact with and learn from each other on a digital platform or in person. In any community, members unite over a commonality, such as strengthening their skills through online learning.
The Harvard Business School Online Community is made up of business professionals from around the world who identify as lifelong learners. Many of its members have either completed or are currently taking an HBS Online course, but some haven’t.
Online learning communities typically have digital hubs that enable connection across geographic locations. In addition to encouraging discussion, support, and networking, these hubs provide a way for members to coordinate in-person meetups.
In some communities, such as HBS Online’s, members can join a geography-based Chapter led by a Community Organizer who hosts events for those in the same area.
An online learning community can provide a sense of belonging that former iterations of online learning lacked. Here are five benefits of joining one.
Learn more about the HBS Online Community in the video below, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!
5 Benefits of Online Learning Communities
1. Gain New Perspectives
One benefit of an online learning community is the opportunity to gain fresh perspectives. By opting into a global network, you’ll meet individuals with different life experiences, opinions, and challenges.
“Being able to talk to the other students in my cohort—especially when I started becoming a trusted cohort member and was getting valuable feedback—gave me a stronger investment in the program,” says Tiara Shafiq, who took the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program. “Not only was I learning, I was doing well and able to help others through my unique perspectives.”
Thoughtfully engaging in discussion with others can open your mindset to their perspectives and help you consider topics from multiple angles, which can prove useful in your course and career.
2. Give and Receive Support, Motivation, and Inspiration
An online learning community can be especially useful for seeking support, motivation, or inspiration from others.
Before Your Course
Before signing up for a course, ask for advice from those who’ve already completed it. For instance, if you’re new to the HBS Online Community, you could ask:
“Has anyone here taken Disruptive Strategy? If so, how have you used what you learned in the course?”
Community members could then respond. For instance:
“I’ve already applied so much of what I’ve learned. My strategy and message for my team and how we communicate with our customers has begun to shift.” — Paige Peterson, sales manager and Disruptive Strategy participant
“I’ve found that I already apply [what I learned in Disruptive Strategy] to my career, my passions, and even my family. For example, I apply the jobs to be done theory to myself and the people I’m building products for so that I can do my job better as a partner, relative, employee, team member, and product manager.” — Farsh Askari, community manager and Disruptive Strategy participant
During Your Course
While taking an online course, it can be reassuring to know you have a community of people learning the same content, encountering the same examples, and completing the same assignments.
On the HBS Online Community platform, you’re automatically added to a group with just your cohort—those simultaneously taking your course—so you can chat about your experience in real time.
Being part of that group is not only useful for working through problems but also for keeping each other motivated and inspired throughout the program.
After Your Course
Even after your course ends, you can tap your online learning community for advice—for instance, regarding a business challenge you’re facing. Having other professionals’ perspectives can provide a fuller picture of your options and prompt you to consider those you previously wouldn’t have.
You can also use your community to share or search for job postings or professional development opportunities as you advance your career.
3. Build Your Professional Network
Connecting with other professionals is an effective way to expand your network and can prove useful when job searching, hiring, and seeking advice at any career stage.
Remember: Networking isn’t simply gathering names and contact information—it’s about making a genuine connection with someone. On a digital community platform, you can discuss course content, questions, or relevant current events. You can also attend in-person events hosted by your local chapter or institution.
Related: 7 Ways to Build Your Network Through the New HBS Online Community Platform
4. Make Real-World Connections
A key perk of an online learning community is the opportunity to connect in person. It bridges the gap between your online course and the real world.
If your online learning community has geography-based chapters, find the closest to you and get involved. The HBS Online Community has 34 Chapters worldwide, each led by a volunteer Organizer who’s taken at least one HBS Online course.
Gwen Mdinaradze, Organizer of the Global Chapter, regularly hosts in-person and virtual events for members of the HBS Online Community to connect and get to know each other. For instance, in July 2022, the Global Chapter met with the Boston Chapter over a picnic lunch on the Harvard Business School campus.
In addition to Chapter events, HBS Online holds an annual conference for learners called Connext. Now hosted in a hybrid format to reach those unable to travel to campus, Connext is an opportunity for participants to gather, network, and learn from HBS faculty.
An online learning community creates opportunities to connect in person; take advantage of them.
Related: Recapping Connext 2022: An HBS Online Community Organizer’s Perspective
5. Work Together to Make Positive Change
Finally, some online learning communities invite members to participate in purpose-driven efforts.
The HBS Online Community hosts its annual Community Challenge, in which it partners with a nonprofit that has a compelling mission and critical business challenge.
The Community—broken into teams by geographic Chapter—is tasked with crafting actionable solutions to the nonprofit’s challenge.
The 2023 Community Challenge is underway as teams craft solutions to help the Bantwana Initiative of World Education, Inc. strategically expand its impact on the lives of young people and families affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty. Select teams will pitch their solutions to a panel of judges at Connext in May, and one will be chosen as the winner.
Previous Community Challenge winners include:
- The New York Chapter for its proposal to help the Greater Boston Food Bank address food insecurity
- The Los Angeles Chapter for its proposal to help Sustainable Harvest International reverse the effects of climate change
- The Tokyo Chapter for its proposal to help United Planet expand the reach and scale of its Virtual Exchange Program
- The Dubai Chapter for its proposal to help Empowered to Educate scale its growth to support women educators
Being part of a community means being part of something larger than yourself. Taking advantage of opportunities like these can help you create a real-world impact informed by your online education.
How to Get Involved with an Online Learning Community
If you’re interested in joining an online learning community, prioritize it during your course research. Selecting a program with an online learning community built into its infrastructure can provide a seamless way to get involved from the moment you enroll.
Before, during, and after your course, make a point to reach out to and engage with others. Try posing questions or insights about:
- Course content
- Your industry or role
- Your geographic area
- A cause you care about
These common topics can spark discussion among community members and lead to new connections with like-minded learners.
You can join some online learning communities before your educational journey even starts. Doing so can help you select the right course and create a sense of belonging you can carry into your program and beyond.
Are you interested in pursuing online learning with a supportive, global network of peers? Explore our course catalog and download our free guide—complete with interactive workbook sections—to determine if online learning is right for you and which course to take.
