Consider what would be needed to create an ideal digital learning community. What would be needed to bring such a vision to fruition? What can one do to make an existing DLC more attractive to and welcoming for students and teachers?
An Ideal Digital Learning Community should allow a place for resource sharing and tutoring opportunities. Teachers should be able to share resources with students and each other. Students should be able to help each other and work collaboratively. Teachers should be able to work with students to provide support and feedback in learning. There are many resources available to help bring this to fruition. One such resource is Academic Earth which offers free online lectures and courses in various subjects, as well as free college courses. Resources such as Open Study, which offer courses and availablilty for help from other students or tutors, creates a social learning environment. My favorite resource is Khan Academy because I’ve found it to be most useful in working with my students in math. Khan Academy is ideal because it is free, very well organized, easy to navigate, and the lessons are very thorough and easy to follow. To make a Digital Learning Community more attractive to students and teachers, the community should be user friendly and easy to navigate. Students and teachers should be able to communicate in real time either through video conferencing or live chats. There are many resources for video conferencing and live chats such as Adobe Connect. The combination of digital resources and opportunities for synchronous instruction with the teacher help create the ideal digital learning community.
Kiss Fist 