We have completed our #RRUMALAT online debate. That experience has highlighted weaknesses with my academic writing. As a result, I am researching more information and I have made appointments with RRU’s Writing Centre. I am looking forward to those sessions. I did enjoy the process, getting to know team members and doing the research required to support our arguments. Here is Scrum Post 2 Pro – The Motion.
Scrum PRO: For the Motion
In this debate, the focus is on digital learning environments (DLEs) being equal. There are a few arguments which fall outside of this debate including access and group dynamics and are therefore irrelevant.
DLEs are available to everyone, everywhere at any time. Access is a user and service provider issue, not a DLE issue. Whether or not you have access does not change the DLE. At the same time, technology could be used to increase equality. “Students can access learning materials outside of school. Students and educators have more tools to create a learning environment that fosters personalised learning. Technology will help create equity in schools when it is used powerfully” (Anderson, 2019).
Group learning is also outside the scope of this debate. However, research shows collaborative online learning works. “A successful collaborative group activity allows learners to feel a sense of community…Online learners in well-designed learning environments experience meaningful learning, develop higher order thinking, and begin to develop an eLearning community where collaborative group activities are encouraged.” (Higley, 2018)
Sets, nets and groups and communities can have break out rooms or use another platform to communicate, much like MALAT students using Slack.
References
Anderson, K (2019) How Access to Technology Can Create Equity in Schools. Digital Promise Accelerating Innovation in Education.
Retrieved: https://digitalpromise.org/2019/04/29/equity-in-schools-access-technology
Higley, M (2018) Reasons Why Collaborative Online Learning Activities are Effective. E Learning Industry.
Retrieved:
https://elearningindustry.com/collaborative-online-learning-activities-reasons- effective