DIGITAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES: A STREAMLINED APPROACH TO LEARNING SUPPORT IN TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

Digital Learning Communities is a flexible, real-time student learning support initiative with a digital hub in the form of an active forum hosted in MS Teams.It is also supported through the on-campus drop-in learning support sessions facilitated jointly by academics and volunteer peer mentors.This initiative aims to integrate and streamline face-to-face and digital learning support activities to address the growing need for seamless, flexible, expertly moderated learning support mechanisms.This model can be instrumental in fostering learner engagement, collaboration and academic support by using an existing learning management ecosystem that is easily accessible to the learners and academics.Microsoft Teams, which emerged as a significant learning management tool when COVID-19 struck to support the continuity of learning activities, has since established itself as a leader and enabler in providing online, flexible and real-time learning support in various learning environments, including face-to-face, hybrid and distance education.Therefore, the efficient use of Microsoft Teams and its features to host the Digital Learning Communities platform is expected to help enhance peer interaction, mentorship and real-time academic assistance.This idea paper discusses the planned initiative's theoretical framework, platform design, and expected outcomes.