The Rise of Cohort-Based Courses: Creating Community and Improving Learning Outcomes in Online Education

The Rise of Cohort-Based Courses: Creating Community and Improving Learning Outcomes in Online Education

In today's digital age, educational content is readily available and easily accessible. Platforms like YouTube, blogs, and social media provide a wealth of information on various subjects. However, this abundance of content has created a new challenge for creators - how to stand out in a crowded space where content generation is a losing battle.

Traditional social platforms like YouTube and Twitter separate monetization activities from community building. Creators share their expertise but often struggle to capitalize on it. They have to rely on brand partnerships and low-margin merchandise to make a living. The problem with this model is that anyone can access the content, but very few actually stick with it long enough to see results.

Massively open online courses (MOOCs) have been popularized as a way to offer on-demand, recorded videos with a defined syllabus. However, their completion rates are abysmally low, ranging from 3 to 6 percent. This gap between the promise of online education and its actual results has led to the rise of cohort-based courses (CBCs).

Cohort-based courses are interactive online courses where a group of students progresses through the material together. Hands-on, feedback-based learning is at the core of these courses. What sets CBCs apart is the sense of community they provide, which is scarce in today's content-rich world. A recent study by MIT found that online courses have a dropout rate of about 96 percent over five years, with the majority of learners never returning after their first year.

One of the key benefits of CBCs is the active and hands-on learning experience they offer. Students are more engaged and are required to put in more effort. Research has shown that students who engage in interactive processing, such as discussions and debates, score higher on tests. CBCs also provide the network benefits of startup accelerators to a wider market. The value in accelerators lies not only in the content but also in the community and access to new ideas.

Community building plays a crucial role in improving learning outcomes. Studies have shown that students who collaborate with fellow students score higher than those working alone. The presence of others can also liberate latent energy and improve performance. This is evident in the popularity of social-exercise models like Peloton.

For creators, monetizing their expertise can be challenging, especially without existing followings or networks. Traditional social platforms create a division between monetization and community building activities, making it difficult for creators to make a living solely from advertising. Many have to rely on brand partnerships or low-margin merchandise, which detracts from community building.

Cohort-based courses provide creators with leverage through productized offerings. Instead of constantly creating new content, creators can offer courses that run in cohorts. The effort is front-loaded, with 80 percent of the effort in building the course and 20 percent in running or updating it for future cohorts. This approach allows creators to generate significant revenue compared to traditional MOOCs.

In conclusion, cohort-based courses are redefining success in online learning. They address the need for community in a content-rich world and provide an interactive and hands-on learning experience. Students are more engaged, and learning outcomes improve. For creators, cohort-based courses offer a more sustainable and profitable way to monetize their expertise.

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Explore cohort-based courses: If you're looking to learn a new skill or subject, consider enrolling in a cohort-based course. The interactive and community-driven nature of these courses can greatly enhance your learning experience.

• 2. Embrace active learning: Seek out opportunities for active learning, such as discussions, debates, or role-playing. Engaging with the material and your peers will help improve comprehension and retention.

• 3. Consider creating a cohort-based course: If you have expertise in a particular field, consider creating a cohort-based course. It provides a more sustainable and profitable way to monetize your knowledge compared to traditional content generation.

Sources:

• "Death Poem of Toyotomi Hideyoshi - Everything2.com"

• "In Online Ed, Content Is No Longer King—Cohorts Are"