Virtual learning environments (overview)

Kevin Brace. HE Coordinator.

JISC Regional Support Centre West Midlands

my blog : http://www.kev-brace.blogspot.com/

Tuesday 30th September

How a VLE can support:

• Part time & full time students• lecturers• Communities

We will briefly look at:

• VLE: Learners perspective

• VLE: Teaching perspective

• VLE: Component parts

• Summary

• Discussion

Contents: What can a VLE do 4 U?

Think differently.

Cattle spuds!

In order to use a VLE effectively , i.e. not as a storage area for dead handouts, you need to think about moving towards a much more student centred approach to “learning”.

For more info see URL :

http://www.slideshare.net/kevinbrace/active-learning-presentation

Effective practice is evident when:

►Learners are actively engaged in the learning process

►Independent learning skills are encouraged

►Learners skills and knowledge are developed

►Motivates further (and deeper) learning

JISC summarises effective eLearning

VLE:: Why? :: Some perspectives

•Improve your IT skills

•Consistent set of resources – delivered in a blended environment

•Easily updated – SAVES YOU TIME IN THE LONG TERM.

•Available 24/7 to the flexible autonomous digital native

•Upload from college or home. :o)

•Share digital resources with peers – don’t reinvent- repurpose!

•Appeal to varying learner styles & disabilities – effective delivery

•Peer review lecturing resources to ensure consistent quality•Utilise electronic communication tools to (further) engage learners

•Engage learner using multimedia resources – effective & varying your delivery to suit preferences

•Use VLE to deliver facts & use f2f for effective support

•Check learning using assessment tools

•Deliver timely feedback using communication tools

•Track progress & evaluate – easily vary teaching style to suit cohort, by using a range of media

virtual learning environment

components

• mapping of the curriculum into elements (or ‘chunks’) that can be assessed and recorded

• tracking of student activity and achievement against these elements

• support of online learning, including access to learning resources, assessment and guidance

• online tutor support

• peer group support

• general communications, including email, group discussion and web access

• links to other systems, both in-house and externally

http://www.jisc.ac.uk/uploaded_documents/req-vle.doc

VLE:: What is it? :: database

users

•Server (big networked computer)

•Database

•Admin

•lecturers

•Groups

•Learners

•Work

•Resources

•Results

VLE:: What is it? :: tools

tools

•Shared presentations

•Quizzes / assessments / Surveys

•Peer assessments

• Assignment ‘drop boxes’

•Tracking

•Email

•Notice boards/ Shared calendars

•Chat rooms

•Forums

•Wiki

•Blogs

•Personal web pages /ePortfolios

Online Notice boards

Description:

Most users have read-only access. For example, a notice board may be used by lecturers to post administrative information, class notes or other material. Notice boards are very flexible tools and can be used for a variety of purposes. A college website, for example, may include a notice board to announce general college information. Within the VLE, there could be notice boards for each subject area. How the notice board is used depends on where it is located. Certainly within the VLE, a notice board can be used to post documents, notes and other support material. Similar to a shared calendar

Providing an alternative for .................................:Email, physical notices

VLE:: What is it? :: communication

VLE:: What is it? :: communication

Real time chat-rooms Description:

This is generally a synchronous communication facility - you can enter messages that are displayed on-screen to others who are also visiting the chat room at the same time. Your entry and exit from the chat room is shown on screen in a list of users currently logged in. Some of the chat rooms are 'logged', i.e. the messages are stored in an archive, others are not, i.e. the messages are displayed on screen at the time but not saved.

Only use it moderated for teaching , otherwise it’s only a distraction.

Providing an alternative for .................................:In-class discussion

http://www.netvibes.com/wesch#Intro_Class_Portal

Online Discussion Forums (boards)

Description:

A virtual talking-shop where students (and tutor) can discuss topics and issues that may have come out of a lecture, a class-time exercise or a seminar discussion. Discussion forums are able to sustain the continuous learning process between staff and students and amongst students themselves. This occurs by offering students the opportunity to engage in debate 'anytime, anyplace, anywhere'.

Providing an alternative for .................................:Face-to-face classroom discussions/debate.

See next slide>>

VLE:: What is it? :: communication

(threaded) Discussion forum

Wiki:Description:

A wiki <wee-kee> is a type of website that allows users to add and edit content and is especially suited for constructive collaborative authoring.

The term wiki also sometimes refers to the collaborative software itself (wiki engine) that facilitates the operation of such a website (see wiki software).

Suited to project teams, collaborative projects, etc. See our wiki @ URL:

Providing an alternative for .................................:Face-to-face group work

VLE:: What is it? :: collaboration

http://wiki.rscwmsystems.org.uk/index.php/Synchronous_webcasting_tools

Blogs /e-portfolio/ personal web pages:Description:

A blog is a website in which journal entries are posted on a regular basis and displayed in reverse chronological order. The term blog is a shortened form of weblog or web log. Individual articles on a blog are called "blog posts," "posts" or "entries". A blog comprises hypertext, images, and links (to other web pages and to video, audio and other files). Blogs use a conversational style of documentation. A given blog will usually focus on a particular "area of interest".

Useful for reflection & conveying current info. See my blog @ URL :

Providing an alternative for .................................:Handouts, CV’s, personal development portfolios. Used by staff or students, to reflect/feedback.

VLE:: What is it? :: collaboration / reflect

http://www.kev-brace.blogspot.com/

Blogs/ ePortfolios / Personal web pages

VLE:: What is it? :: Resources

resources

•Courses/modules•Lessons•Assessments•Resources / shared

•Websites

•Documents

•Images

•Video

•Animations

•Interactive media

•Repository / searchable

resources

After creating a course structure from a template, the lecturer “uploads” folders or single resources to create a course/module/ or lesson structure within the VLE. Creating a copy of everything on the VLE.

The learners can then view these, print them or “download” them to their computer.

All resources and courses can be made available to all or only registered users.

VLE:: What is it? :: Resources

VLE:: What is it? :: Secure

tools

secure

users

resources

Summary

► A VLE is a software platform that utilises a database to contain user information.

► It can be used to structure learning delivery & resources into chunks – mimicking the modular based post 16 system.

► It includes many tools to help assist the (student centred) learning process and therefore improve engagement.

► The communication tools can be used in real time (chat) or not (forums).

► Presents flexibility for lecturer and student to match preferred teaching & learning styles.

► Accessed 24/7 internally & externally, from home or one the move

► Helps to support teaching & learning in a blended environment

►Any Questions?

Next

• Find more @ URL : http://wiki.rscwmsystems.org.uk/index.php/Moodle

•Now a look @ MOODLE :

http://moodle.rsc-wm.ac.uk/rscmoodle/login/index.php

•Activity

Breakout to small groups to discuss opportunities and issues in using a VLE for you and your students. We will then feedback & discuss further.