Implementation: Establishing a Sense of Community

Abstract

The Implementation Stage of the WBID Model brings the results of previous stages to fruition. After concurrent activities are completed, implementation procedures begin. The major focus of implementation is creating the learning community however it is designed. For implementation to be a success, each member of the learning community must understand online teaching and learning and employ appropriate facilitation and management strategies. Personnel, budget, and time allocations are also critical to successful implementation. Final preparation activities include contacting the learners, checking that the course is functioning correctly, and conducting any necessary participant training on online learning/teaching skills. This chapter begins with a brief overview of online teaching and learning, followed by a discussion of the activities and preparations needed for successful implementation. We devote the rest of the chapter to describing strategies for facilitating and managing an online learning community.