I understand the digital learning environment (DLE) to be where and how learning takes place using technology and software platforms. The DLE for the school board I work for includes Google Apps for Education (GAFE). Students are able to collaborate using Google Docs and Slides. The student is assigned their lessons and submit their assessments through Google Classroom. Students communicate using the Stream on Google Classroom, Google Hangouts and meet synchronously when in Remote Learning through Google Meet.
The DLE also includes an accountability platform to monitor students’ digital activity. GoGuardian is a Chromebook management tool that allows educators to monitor where students visit, what work they do and control their device in real-time. Teachers can pull up a tab on students’ screens, close tabs, lock the device, block websites and manage students’ tabs. This supports educators teach digital citizenship. Without a platform such as this, students can be left to their own “devices” literally, without formal consequences. When students are learning remotely, taking away a student’s device is not an option.
The DLE for the school board also includes D2L Brightspace or Ontario’s VLE. The VLE holds curated resources for educators and students to learn from, digital games to interact and websites to serves as reference material for lessons, curriculum content, lessons and much more. Student’s digital portfolios are held within the SNCDSB Hub, the VLE. Students are loaded into classes through the student information system. This allows for seamless and secure access to upload artifacts of learning. Students are able to provide reflections, strengths and next steps for learning.
Support students being responsible digital citizens is not an easy task. I believe the biggest hurdle for educators is that digital citizenship not be a well-known concept. Students need to learn in a supportive environment that corrects behaviour but allows students the freedom to explore and engage in a way that provides them with an authentic learning experience. Students should not learn digital citizenship practices theoretically without the opportunity to apply the learning in a DLE.
A DLE can also include social media. I currently use Twitter to share my work in the classroom with the broader community. I also follow educators who inspire me, provide hands-on learning experiences through STEM, makerspaces, coding, robotics and 21st-century learning. I follow educators who will provide me with a spark, motivation, encouragement or inspiration. I learn from educators in the field. My next step in the social networking arena is to comment on others’ posts, rather than just retweeting or liking a post. However, my DLE does include social media.
