Forum: Participate 1.1.3 Ideal DLC

Forum: Participate 1.1.3 Ideal DLC

An ideal learning community is one that adheres to the needs of the professional adult learner.  The following list will serve as a concise guide for its applications.  In the most ideal learning communities, the participants engage in a cycle of learning that not only fosters their own development, but also strengthens the potential for the group as a whole. I call this system: MCRA.  

1.  It is generated by intrinsic motivation (M).  All participants are participating on their own accord in areas where they need the most interest.  

2.  It is generated by learner choice (C).  All participants are encouraged to seek out their own knowledge and solutions to this knowledge. 

3.  It is self-monitored by responsible learners (R).  All participants are aware of the values of good digital citizenship and act accordingly.  With this responsibility to learn in a specific manner, also comes the responsibility to react to other learners in a responsible manner.  From experience of teaching online, on of the most troubling issues in a digital learning community is the reactions that some learners have to ambiguous prompts.  Learners not only need to post responsibly, but also need to assume that other learners are not being disrespectful and act accordingly. 

4.  It has an inherent sense of accountability (A) for one's learning built into its overall structure.  All participants are able to self-monitor and then accurately measure their own progress.  This progress then in turn strengthens the learning community, and helps others to further achieve. 

A functional digital learning community should encourage the same values that make a more traditional learning community effective.  We need to remember that the message and learning are the focus, not the digital aspects.  These aspects are another tool (and an effective one) for helping individuals attain their potential.