Session Information
Building Communities of Practice in Online Higher Education Courses
[insert room location]
This session will explore the potential of building structures within online higher education to foster student engagement, collaboration, and a sense of belonging. This presentation will share research-based best practice tools and structures for intra-institutional stakeholders (academic advisors, student support staff, IT, instructional faculty/staff, etc.) to increase equitable online student communities. Additionally, GAIN attendees will be invited to share their experiences in informing practices in creating anti-oppressive and supportive online learning environments. This session aligns with GAIN's theme by highlighting the importance of community building and fostering equity in higher education. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities in their own locus of control and to share their experiences with others. The session will provide practical strategies for creating equitable communities of practice, such as leveraging technology tools, designing inclusive activities and structures, and facilitating meaningful interactions that address power dynamics and systemic barriers.
Learning Outcomes
1. Define equitable communities of practice (CoPs) and understand their potential benefits for online higher education.
2. Identify key factors that contribute to the formation and sustainability of inclusive CoPs.
3. Analyze the role of technology in facilitating equitable CoP interactions and collaboration.
4. Evaluate the impact of CoPs on student engagement, learning outcomes, and sense of belonging, particularly for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
5. Develop strategies for creating and sustaining equitable CoPs in their own online courses, addressing issues of power, privilege, and oppression.
Presenter Information
Dr. Nicole Soriano
Dr. Nicole Soriano is an Assistant Professor of Education at Morningside University, where she teaches in the Master of Teaching program. Her work centers on guiding pre-service and in-service teachers in designing and conducting action research for their theses. This includes designing graduate-level curricula to foster critical AI literacy, and supporting candidates in ethically integrating AI into their research and practices. Prior to joining Morningside, Dr. Soriano was a research fellow at the University of Portland, where she collaborated with local Portland school districts on various district driven research initiatives, including how K-12 schools may integrate. Passionate about empowering educators to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in education, she looks forward to sharing her expertise with K-12 teachers, administrators, and district personnel.
Michelle Harris, MS is a Research Fellow at the University of Portland. She is graduating in May 2025 with her Doctorate in Education. Her research focus areas are Restorative Justice Practices in Education, Best Practices in Education, and Equitable, Safe AI use in Education. Her recent publication highlights the use of AI in education. Her work to help create programs for students who have experienced or been affected by incarceration has led her to collaborate with Universities, Legislators, and other Activists to develop further opportunities for others through the power of education. She has also been the Mini-Grant Program Chair for the Peace and Justice Association (PJSA) since 2021. She has served on the Alumni Relations Committee at Portland State University since 2023. Michelle is a Published Author, Public Speaker, and Activist with a focus on Restorative Justice in the areas of Mass Incarceration, Education Justice, Equitable AI Practices, Nuclear Disarmament, and Climate Justice.
