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Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) should integrate cohort-based courses (CBCs) into their organization to build a stronger community and further their mission. (Read more about DAOs)
Why?
First, letβs take a step back and explain cohort-based courses.
Cohort-based courses rose in popularity shortly after the start of COVID. A cohort-based course is a highly interactive, group-based, online course to learn a specific skill.
Cohort-based courses can take many forms. From teaching crypto to leadership, CBCs can last from days to months.
Some features of CBCs: high-intensity, specific learning goals, learning by doing, live Zoom meetings coupled with asynchronous Slack or Discord discussion, and a strong focus on personal relationships.
Cohort-based learning is nothing new. We learn best in groups, and cohort-based courses simply bring this online.
In this post, Iβll explain why DAOs should incorporate cohort-based learning to advance their mission.
CBCs Build Strong Community
Cohort-based learning builds community. And, a strong community is fundamental to a DAO.
Some reasons why CBCs build community:
It brings a group of people together through a shared struggle.
The βmissionβ (or learning goal) of the cohort attracts people that are already aligned. (This is similar to a DAO as everyone who joins the DAO has a vested interest in the mission.)
Cohort-based courses add additional structure to a community which helps strengthen relationships. With a clear structure, participants have an environment to collaborate, learn, and build.
The cohort or group nature builds a strong community. A group of people meeting and interacting consistently on a shared mission and shared timeline creates bonds. Weβve all been there - from sports teams to a freshman class to a work team.
Why should DAOs embrace cohort-based learning?
A strong community is fundamental to a strong DAO. CBCs can help strengthen the DAOβs community.
The structure and accountability of a CBC helps to bring some order to occasionally chaotic Discords that DAOs typically operate in.
As CBC are action-focused, the CBCs actions can be aligned with specific goals of the DAO.
CBCs can teach valuable skills to Members of the DAO.
Since Members of DAOs are already mission aligned when joining, the cohort-based course can address specific wants and needs of Members of the DAO. For example, Iβve run several writing cohorts. As writing is a widely-applicable skill that people want to learn, implementing writing cohorts within DAOs helps to strengthen community and teach valuable skills to Members of the DAO.
In conclusion, integrating cohort-based courses within DAOs has potential to strengthen the community of the DAO and further the mission of the DAO.