A Digital Learning Environment is a classroom that is interactive, digital and accessible through a technology device and internet connection. The school board I work with uses Google Classroom and D2L’s Brightspace as a digital learning environment. Educators will synchronously meet with students through the Google Meet link in Google Classroom. Students are able to post questions on the Stream or some educators have integrated a Google Hangout as a discussion space for classroom participants. Within Google, Classroom educators are able to post assignments, provide feedback and keep their mark book. Students are able to communicate with their classroom teacher and submit their assignments.

D2L’s Brightspace is slowly being adopted within the school board as it is Ontario’s VLE. Currently, the expectation is that students upload their very best work to their digital portfolios. The tool organizes students’ work by offering filters and tagging system. Each year student’s classrooms with be populated so students can visit the previous year’s work to reflect on their growths and achievements throughout their learning journey. The tool currently meets the needs of students having a digital portfolio that can be shared with parents/guardians through student lead conferences and offer digital artifacts for reflection and consolidation of learning.

I am excited about the learning in this course, as I lack the confidence to provide guidance to educators and students on the board about what it means to practice digital citizenship. I have a general idea of a digital footprint, copyright infringement, however, I am looking forward to learning more about privacy and data storage best practices. According to Greenhow (2010), students require the following technology-based skills: technology fluency, innovation, communication and collaboration, research and information fluency, problem-solving and digital citizenship. Digital citizenship is beyond online safety but involves participatory digital communication.

As a 21st century educator, I created a Twitter account. I post my work, activities, workshops, and learnings that I have. I find it inspiring to learn from other educators using the tool. I have also met and had interactions with educators that I may not have otherwise had the pleasure of meeting through the social media platform. I use my Twitter account exclusively for professional use posting my work and sharing information with educators.

References
Greenhow, C. (2010). New concept of citizenship for the digital age. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), 24-25.