Collaborative learning in co-created digital space: the fully online learning community model

The growing global attention to online learning, particularly in light of COVID-19, has spurred interest in systematic, robust, and pedagogically sound approaches to online learning like the fully online learning community (FOLC) model. FOLC consists of three overlapping dimensions-social presence, cognitive presence, and collaborative learning-which can function within fully online or hybrid digital spaces. FOLC thus supports the establishment of vibrant online learning communities. This chapter extends prior theoretical and empirical work on FOLC and highlights supportive and challenging academic interactions. Readiness to work within FOLC environments requires developing a range of 21st century competencies, such as complex problem solving and social negotiation, to effectively use the selected digital affordances and collaborate with others. These abilities and potential readiness interventions are addressed here as an intrinsic part of the model. The chapter concludes with reports of several empirical studies that explore the efficacy of the FOLC model. © 2021 by IGI Global. All rights reserved.

Underlying principles of a proactive team quality improvement drive towards web based platforms for remote nurse and dietitian data review in 2018, was used to inform a rapid response to the Covid pandemic, ensuring safety and support for families and continuation of medical and team input remotely

A team quality improvement drive in 2018 to enable families to upload blood glucose data from home, encouraging self-review, independent management, and frequent proactive insulin adjustment, led to provision of a new nurse and dietitian led email clinic. The popularity and demand increased by 2019, and the service expanded in response to patient voice. Only a handful of families were able to review their data remotely, but within a few months of the initiative, an estimated 98% had this facility either at home, or via extended family, school or college. A remote email clinic was provided to review uploaded data. This proved so popular that the provision increased from 2 hrs a week for 4 days, to a 6 day a week service. It was well evaluated by families, and almost every review led to an insulin adjustment. The PDSA cycles for this work diminished the level of risk with each cycle by producing and adapting robust proformas to record baseline information and adjustments in a consistent format, and to encourage independent decision making from the outset. This wealth of experience was subsequently drawn upon by the medical team during Covid lockdown and the abrupt halt of face to face consultations. A rapid transition to telephone appointments could easily be made. Uploading and remote data review was already well practiced, and families felt this to be a normal way of support and reassurance. A diabetes team mobile app was provided free of charge to families at the start of lockdown to provide an immediately accessible means to share public health alerts regarding shielding, school closures, emergency advice, information about changes to hospital services, and support for well being. Communication between the multidisciplinary team for peer review and support and vulnerable patient handover was maintained by moving to Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp. Youth team support was delivered by Zoom. Families have been grateful for continuity of care in the face of other uncertainty.