Facilitating an online learning community can be like herding cats. Graeme from New Zealand has some ideas about how to make it a bit easier to wrangle those kitties. In this blog entry, he lays out 7 “principles of community,” including the need for a clear structure about how to join and leave as well as a monitoring process for what takes place in the community.

While, I don’t think online communities need to follow a Robert’s-Rules-of-Order-type agenda, I do think there needs to be some structure to ensure a meaningful experience for all.

In addition, Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach has some great ideas about what makes a successful community and the role of the community organizer.

What have your experiences been with your online learning communities–as participant or as facilitator? This would make a great topic for one of Elluminate’s webinars.

- Beth, Elluminate Goddess of Communication