Virtual Learning Environment

Mark Simons

22 January 08

Vision for the VLE

• Driven by the needs of pupils, teachers and school

• Not driven by ICT• Holistic

• Primary objective is raising attainment?

• Secondary objectives?

• Teachers are busy people– Best use of time

• ICT vs Teaching Experience• ICT confidence

• Classroom experience

Pupil Interface

• Most important– Classroom interface– Private/monitor interface

• Structure– Quality of Content – Ease of Navigation

– Eye Appeal

Process 1

• Create a “narrative”

• Add interactivity

• A route for gifted and talented pupils– Extension, enrichment

• Weave a route for less able pupils

• Quality Assurance

• Test in pilot group or directly in the classroom

VLE Content

• Resource rich

• Flexible

• Promoting self-learning?• Teachers working more effectively

• Sharing opportunities

• Administration?

• Time

Working up a Project

• Select a topic

• Create initial set of pages

• Teachers look at interactivity options• Teachers identify G&T opportunities

• Teachers identify enrichment/extension opportunities

• Teachers identify SEN opportunities• Quality assurance

Key Tools Fronter• Page• News• Messages

• Favourites• RSS Feed• Quiz (Test)• Hand in Folders• Fronter documents• Forums

• Discussion Contributions

PLUS• Internet tools• Internet images• Youtube.com

• Slideshare.net

• Search engines

What next?

• Creating a vision for department (and school?)

• Teachers decide what to do next• SLT to approve issues on internet

access (essential)

• Supporting other activities in the school?

• Cross-curricular• etc etc