Participate Reflection

After completing the Participate Section of the Effective Online Learning Course, I have discovered, learned and recovered information that has not been at the applied in my classroom.  Learning how to apply new information in a Digital Learning Community has proven to be invaluable.  The Participate module prepared you to meet the following standards from the International Association for Online Learning :
Standard C: The online teacher plans, designs, and incorporates strategies to encourage active learning, application, interaction, participation, and collaboration in the online environment.

Standard E: The online teacher models, guides, and encourages legal, ethical, and safe behavior related to technology use.

Standard J: The online teacher interacts in a professional, effective manner with colleagues, parents, and other members of the community to support students’ success.

​Standard C was most closely explained in my blog post on Participate 1 - Ideal Digital Learning Communities.  Standard E was represented in Participate - Digital Rights and Responsibilities.Standard J was addressed in my post Participate 3 - Digital Resources and Netiquette.The strategies I will take away from this module are setting exceptions for a safe and respectful Digital Learning Community and promoting Digital Health.  Many times we fail to consider the negative influences that may exist within a Digital Learning Community.  By having guidelines in place to deter, monitor and quickly respond to negative influences we create a safe place for seekers of knowledge.  Many of use forget to focus on Digital Health because we become consumed with the task at hand.  By having a plan and goals in place for Digital Health these issues can be controlled and monitored. 

The sections I felt were most beneficial  were Character Traits of an Exemplary Digital Citizen
and Participate 2 - Collecting Reputable Digital Resources.   Character Traits of an Exemplary Digital Citizen was beneficial because it helps one to understand what is expected of a person in a Digital Learning Community.  The Participate 2 - Collecting Reputable Digital Resources was beneficial because it introduces the student to a variety of resources that they may be unaware of.
This was a lengthy lesson, but it contained invaluable information that I will use in my own Digital Learning Community.