What are they?
What do they do?
Why are they useful?
Virtual Learning Environments
What is a VLEWhat is a VLE?
A tool for delivering and/or supporting distance and flexible learning using
Web technology
The Virtual
Classroom
on-line deliveryinteraction/ response
assessment/ monitoringlearning programme
materials creation/importtutor support
advice/ guidance/interaction
learning process
teaching &learning support
sense of living cultureidentity/ belonging
peer interactiondynamic change
Made easy
The Virtual
Classroom
What is a VLE?
VirtualLearning
Environment
Virtualclassroom
MLEs and VLEs
ExamplesExamples
WebCTWebCT Virtual CampusVirtual Campus
COSECOSE LearnwiseLearnwise
TopClassTopClass
And many more....And many more....
BlackboardBlackboard
FunctionsFunctions
Shell for content
Communications
Assessment
Student tracking
Content - key Content - key issuesissues
• How is it created?
• How is it uploaded into the VLE?
• How easy is it to navigate round system?
Content Content navigationnavigation
• Backwards/forwards through hierarchy• Jump to anywhere• Search routines• Internal and external links• Glossary• Resume where left off• Post it notes• etc.
Tools
Main Navigation
Sub-navigation
Communications: Communications: bulletin boardsbulletin boards
• Asynchronous • Threaded• Multiple boards/forums• Tutor support• Peer group support
Threaded
conversations
Communications:Communications:emailemail
• Internal to WebCT and other VLEs
• Useful for Web-based access
• Useful for those with no Internet email
Communications: Communications: chatchat
• Synchronous• Not threaded• Students like it• Effectiveness as teaching
tool?
User name
Message area
Assessment Assessment techniquestechniques
• Free-text submission - e.g. email an essay to tutor.
• Multiple choice, boolean, fill in blank, list matching, image maps, multiple correct answer, etc.
– cannot be automatically marked.
– can be automatically marked;
– can be set up so student must take at a particular time/date, lasting a certain time;
– can restrict number of attempts;
– can automatically tailor courseware on results.
AssessmentAssessment
Formative
versus
Summative
Student Student trackingtracking
Typically:
• What they’ve read, and when;• Results recording and stats;• What tests completed and outstanding;• Plus, of course, logs of email, bulletin
boards, chat.
Advantages forAdvantages forstudentsstudents
• Accessible anytime• Accessible anywhere• Always up-to-date• Electronic support• Interaction with peer group• Flexible access to learning• Easy to use
Advantages forAdvantages for staff staff
• Better support for students
• Ease of management
• Some automatic marking
• Easy to use
Advantages forAdvantages for technical support technical support
• Bespoke packages - integrated;
• Little technical support needed after installation;
• May need an administrator to create courses and upload content.
What does it cost?What does it cost?
• Cost of VLE software;• Purchase/production of content;• Staff training;• On-going costs.
Other key issuesOther key issues
• JISC developing standards/specification for VLE (which existing VLEs will be invited to meet)– to link to MIS– interoperability
For more info....For more info....
For more information see the Ferl VLE Focus Area at:
http://ferl.becta.org.uk/focus/vle/index.html
