Reflection I Summary

The model of my virtual learning community is designed using Moodle software. This free, open-source software allows me to scaffold the knowledge (Renninger & Shumar, 2002) of supervisory level and above staff at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS). The learners will range from Nursing Supervisors to Directors of Facilities. The learners are located in multiple locations across the state of Oklahoma. The learning community will be discussing leadership topics that they can apply in the context of their own facilities. Since each of these supervisors have a mandatory requirement of fulfilling 12 hours of supervisory credit annually, their motivation for participating will be high. In addition to their forced motivation, the supervisors are excited for the launch of the online community so that they do not have to travel to the training center in Oklahoma City.

The virtual learning community will include web-based trainings on specific supervisory topics. Asynchronous discussion (Renninger & Shumar, 2002) forums will be added to each of the topics for the purpose of creating on-going, collaborative learning. The discussion forums will also allow learners to make connections with the material that they may not have made during the web-based training. Although the initial web-based training will be done synchronously (Renninger & Shumar, 2002), the learners have different work schedules that do not allow for the synchronous communication. Overall, the asynchronous communication assists the learners who need more flexibility in their communication and due to my target learner group; this was the most practical solution.

I have a great start to the construction of my virtual learning community. A lot of what I have learned over the course of these last few weeks has assisted in my ability to create a level of substance to the scaffolding I am designing within the ODMHSAS supervisory virtual learning community.