MyBU - The VLE Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard) An Introduction

What is a VLE? VLE = Virtual Learning Environment Bournemouth University uses Blackboard – blackboard.com … software system designed to support teaching and learning in an educational setting. … an online learning space, accessible from anywhere, to deliver learning materials, aid collaboration, and to support student and tutor engagement.

VLE = Virtual Learning Environment

Bournemouth University uses Blackboard – blackboard.com

… software system designed to support teaching and learning in an educational setting.

… an online learning space, accessible from anywhere, to deliver learning materials, aid collaboration, and to support student and tutor engagement.

Video: What is a VLE?

my BU – Bournemouth University Units listed for current academic year of study. Communities listed for Programme Areas, Careers, Toolkit, etc. Announcements listed for Units and Communities, for previous 7 days. Links to H-Drive (storage), Email, Library, Student Support, and VLE Help.

Units listed for current academic year of study.

Communities listed for Programme Areas, Careers, Toolkit, etc.

Announcements listed for Units and Communities, for previous 7 days.

Links to H-Drive (storage), Email, Library, Student Support, and VLE Help.

my BU – The Unit Announcements Unit Schedule Unit Specification Assignment, and Assignment Submission. Unit Materials; PPT, Word, PDF, HTML Video Lectures Reading Lists Wiki, Blog, etc Discussion Boards Grade Centre / My Grades

Announcements

Unit Schedule

Unit Specification

Assignment, and Assignment Submission.

Unit Materials;

PPT, Word, PDF, HTML

Video Lectures

Reading Lists

Wiki, Blog, etc

Discussion Boards

Grade Centre / My Grades

my BU – Unit Materials Split into; Study Weeks Study Subjects … your choice Colour-coded for guidance. Materials and Activities held within each folder / week / subject.

Split into;

Study Weeks

Study Subjects

… your choice

Colour-coded for guidance.

Materials and Activities held within each folder / week / subject.

my BU – Assignment Assignment; Guidelines. Video guide for students: “submitting assignments online”. Blackboard “Assignment” Submission Tool. SafeAssign Submission Tool (plagiarism detection software).

Assignment;

Guidelines.

Video guide for students: “submitting assignments online”.

Blackboard “Assignment” Submission Tool.

SafeAssign Submission Tool (plagiarism detection software).

my BU – Discussion Boards Discussion Boards; ‘ Unit Support Forum’. Subject or group-based board(s). Subscribe for email updates. Searchable. Read / unread messages. Rate responses. Include attachments.

Discussion Boards;

‘ Unit Support Forum’.

Subject or group-based board(s).

Subscribe for email updates.

Searchable.

Read / unread messages.

Rate responses.

Include attachments.

my BU – Tools Wiki (collaboration) Blog (diarised entries) Podcast Virtual Classroom Chatroom Calendar ‘ Scholar’ Portfolios Glossary Group pages (email, discussion, file exchange)

Wiki (collaboration)

Blog (diarised entries)

Podcast

Virtual Classroom

Chatroom

Calendar

‘ Scholar’

Portfolios

Glossary

Group pages (email, discussion, file exchange)

my BU – Control Panel (tutor) Announcements. Staff information. Unit materials. Grade centre. Unit statistics. Group & student management. Wiki, blog, & podcast management. Unit & menu design. Check links. Content Collection (file store).

Announcements.

Staff information.

Unit materials.

Grade centre.

Unit statistics.

Group & student management.

Wiki, blog, & podcast management.

Unit & menu design.

Check links.

Content Collection (file store).

Tips & Tricks: Do … be creative. .. use and reuse materials, if applicable. … set preliminary activity to introduce student to subject. … focus on Intended Learning Outcomes. … post Announcements on regular basis (introduce week/subject, close each week/subject). .. manage student expectations.

… be creative.

.. use and reuse materials, if applicable.

… set preliminary activity to introduce student to subject.

… focus on Intended Learning Outcomes.

… post Announcements on regular basis (introduce week/subject, close each week/subject).

.. manage student expectations.

Tips & Tricks: Don’t … leave more than 3-4 days between Announcements. … change key dates without consulting administration and notifying students in advance. … change core material without consulting peer-mentor

… leave more than 3-4 days between Announcements.

… change key dates without consulting administration and notifying students in advance.

… change core material without consulting peer-mentor

What are the limitations? Costly to implement and support. Requires investment in time from support staff and academics to fully understand the benefits. VLE cannot replace face-to-face dialogue. Students feel disconnected to both tutor and learning materials. Unable to establish identity of online participant.

Costly to implement and support.

Requires investment in time from support staff and academics to fully understand the benefits.

VLE cannot replace face-to-face dialogue.

Students feel disconnected to both tutor and learning materials.

Unable to establish identity of online participant.

Thank you for your time David Hopkins Learning Technologist, The Business School, Bournemouth University [email_address]

David Hopkins Learning Technologist, The Business School, Bournemouth University [email_address]