In Online Ed, Content Is No Longer King—Cohorts Are: The Rise of Interactive Learning Communities and the Future of Online Education

In Online Ed, Content Is No Longer King—Cohorts Are: The Rise of Interactive Learning Communities and the Future of Online Education

In today's digital age, educational content is cheap and easily accessible. With platforms like YouTube, blogs, and social media offering a plethora of learning-related content, the traditional idea of content being king has been challenged. People can now access high-quality educational videos on YouTube, with channels like Crash Course providing expert knowledge in various subjects. However, this abundance of content has created a discouraging reality for content creators. While they can share their expertise and knowledge on these platforms, monetizing their content becomes a separate challenge. They have to rely on brand partnerships and low-margin merchandise to capitalize on their expertise.

Herein lies the problem - anyone can access workout and diet plans online, but very few individuals actually stick with them long enough to see results. The completion rate of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), which offer recorded videos and a defined syllabus, is just 3 to 6 percent. This gap between the promise of online education and its actual results has paved the way for the rise of cohort-based courses (CBCs).

Cohort-based courses are interactive online courses where a group of students progresses through the material together, with hands-on, feedback-based learning at the core. What makes CBCs unique is the focus on community. In today's content-rich world, community is what's scarce in online learning. A study conducted by researchers at MIT revealed that online courses have a dropout rate of about 96 percent over five years, and the majority of MOOC learners never return after their first year. In contrast, cohort-based courses like altMBA have shown a completion rate of 96 percent. This emphasizes the value of community in learning and the need for more interactive and engaging learning experiences.

While affordability is an important aspect of online education, the low cost of MOOCs often leads to brand degradation and a lack of quality filters. MOOC content is pre-recorded, limiting opportunities for real-time questions and feedback. On the other hand, cohort-based courses offer active and hands-on learning experiences. A Harvard study found that students in an introductory physics class scored higher on tests following active learning sessions. By incorporating different modalities like breakouts, role-playing, discussions, and debates, cohort-based courses provide a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

Additionally, cohort-based courses bring 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 exposure to new ideas. Cohort-based courses enable students to build networks and benefit from the collective knowledge and experiences of their peers and instructors. This fosters a sense of accountability and encourages students to put in more effort.

The importance of community in learning is further supported by research. Studies have shown that collaboration and social interaction lead to better learning outcomes. For example, edX students who collaborated with fellow students scored higher on average than those working solo. Moreover, the presence of others can enhance performance. A study conducted 100 years ago by Norman Triplett found that cyclists performed better when racing alongside others. This concept still holds true today, as seen in the popularity of Peloton's social-exercise model.

For content creators, monetizing their expertise can be a challenging task, especially without a pre-existing following or network. Traditional social platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter often create a division between monetization activities and community building. Creators may give away valuable content, but monetizing solely through advertising is often insufficient. Many YouTubers with over a million monthly viewers earn less than $17,000 per year. This forces creators to seek alternative means of monetization, such as brand partnerships or low-margin merchandise, which can detract from community building.

Cohort-based courses provide creators with more leverage. Instead of constantly feeding the content monster, cohort-based courses offer a productized offering that requires upfront effort in course development but allows for easier future iterations. Creators can focus on running and updating the course for future cohorts, minimizing the need to create new content from scratch each time. This shift to cohort-based courses has proven to be more financially rewarding for creators. For example, YouTuber Ali Abdaal reportedly made significantly more from his cohort-based course than from three MOOCs combined.

In conclusion, the rise of cohort-based courses challenges traditional notions of online education. The combination of live instruction, interactive learning communities, accountability, and hands-on learning experiences redefine what success looks like in online learning. By prioritizing community and engagement, cohort-based courses offer a more effective and fulfilling learning environment. Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Prioritize community building: Incorporate opportunities for collaboration, discussions, and peer interaction in online courses to enhance learning outcomes.
2. Embrace active learning: Create interactive learning experiences that encourage students to actively engage with the material through role-playing, debates, and hands-on activities.
3. Consider cohort-based courses: If you're a content creator, explore the potential of cohort-based courses as a more effective way to monetize your expertise and build a thriving community.

Ultimately, the future of online education lies in the integration of interactive learning communities, hands-on experiences, and the power of community building. By embracing these principles, learners and creators alike can unlock new opportunities and redefine success in the realm of online learning.