"In Online Ed, Content Is No Longer King—Cohorts Are: The Rise of Cohort-Based Courses and the Importance of Community in Online Learning"

"In Online Ed, Content Is No Longer King—Cohorts Are: The Rise of Cohort-Based Courses and the Importance of Community in Online Learning"

In the world of online education, the abundance of educational content has rendered it cheap and easily accessible. Platforms like YouTube, blogs, newsletters, and social media offer a wealth of learning-related content that is readily available to anyone. However, this abundance of content has also led to discouragement among creators, as content generation has become a losing battle. The traditional social platforms that host this content often separate monetization activities from community building, forcing creators to seek alternative ways to capitalize on their expertise.

The completion rates of MOOCs (Massively Open Online Courses) serve as evidence of this disconnect between content and results. Studies have shown that the completion rate of MOOCs is only 3 to 6 percent. While these courses offer evergreen, on-demand recorded videos, they lack the hands-on, feedback-based learning that is crucial for effective education. The gap between the promise of online education and its actual outcomes has given rise to cohort-based courses (CBCs).

Cohort-based courses are interactive online courses where a group of students progresses through the material together, with a focus on hands-on, feedback-based learning. These courses address the scarcity in online learning that is often overlooked - community. A study by researchers at 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. CBCs offer a solution to this problem by fostering a sense of community and accountability among students.

One of the benefits of cohort-based courses is their active and hands-on approach to learning. A Harvard study found that students in an introductory physics class scored higher on tests following active learning sessions. This format requires students to put in more effort, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and engage in discussions and debates with their peers. Additionally, cohort-based courses offer the network benefits of startup accelerators to a wider market. Just as the value of accelerators lies not only in their content but also in the community, CBCs provide students with a supportive network of like-minded individuals.

Community building is not only crucial for fostering a sense of belonging, but it also improves learning outcomes. Research has shown that collaboration between students leads to higher scores on course material compared to working solo. This finding aligns with a study conducted 100 years ago by Norman Triplett, who found that cyclists performed better when racing alongside others. The presence of others serves to unlock latent energy and drive individuals to perform at their best.

While the benefits of cohort-based courses are evident, monetizing expertise remains a challenge for creators. Traditional social platforms create a division between activities intended for monetization and those meant for community building. Creators often have to rely on brand partnerships or low-margin merchandise to monetize their content, taking away from their ability to build a strong community.

Cohort-based courses offer creators more leverage by providing a productized offering. Unlike constantly producing new content, creators can develop a course and run it multiple times with minimal updates. This approach allows them to maximize their time and effort while offering a valuable learning experience to students. The success of cohort-based courses can be seen in the case of YouTuber Ali Abdaal, who reportedly made significantly more money from his CBCs compared to his MOOCs.

In conclusion, the rise of cohort-based courses highlights the importance of community in online learning. While content may be readily available, it is the sense of belonging, collaboration, and accountability that drives student engagement and learning outcomes. Creators can leverage cohort-based courses to monetize their expertise while fostering a supportive community. To succeed in the world of online education, it is essential to prioritize community building and active, hands-on learning experiences.

Actionable Advice:

1. Consider implementing cohort-based courses to provide a more interactive and engaging learning experience for students. This format allows for hands-on learning, discussions, and collaboration, leading to better learning outcomes.
2. Focus on community building to foster a sense of belonging and accountability among students. Encourage collaboration and provide opportunities for students to connect with their peers.
3. Explore productized offerings rather than constantly producing new content. Develop a course that can be run multiple times with minimal updates, allowing you to maximize your time and effort while still offering a valuable learning experience to students.