The document discusses various collaboration tools in the VLE including blogs, journals, wikis, and spaces. It provides details on how each tool can be created and used, including whether content is visible to all students or private. Blogs allow individual or group posts visible to all or the group. Journals can be private or include multimedia. Wikis allow collaborative editing of content and viewing edit histories. The spaces tool allows creating online networks outside courses for any purpose.

1. The VLE @ GSA
Collaboration
tools

2. Session Overview
• Journals
• Blogs
• Wikis
• Global Navigation Menu and Spaces tool

3. Blogs and Journals
3
• Blog – Individual or course. All students can post and
see one other’s blogs and posts.
• Journal – Individual. Can be private between student
and tutor. Students only see their own posts
• Group Blog - visible to all students, members of the
group can post. Students not in the group can see it.
• Group Journal - visible to members of the group,
members of the group can post. Students not in the
group can NOT see it.

4. Blogs

5. Blogs
5
• Create in Control Panel, then add via Tool menu.
• Can be individual (per student) or for the course
(instructor led).
• Options to include multimedia.
• Students can comment on content.
• Previous content is accessible.
• Content created in current week/ month will be displayed
first.
• Unread content flagged up (bold, pin).

6. Blogs can be created and managed
through the Control Panel.
Click Blogs to access the blog page.
Click Create Blog to start.
Blogs can be individual (per student),
for a course or for a group.

7. Add title, descriptive text to clarify
purpose and set availability.

8. Choose whether the blog will be
communal (one for the whole course)
or individual (multiple – one for each
student).
(Please note that group blogs are created
when using the group tool, not here).

9. A blog can be added to a
content area from the Tools
menu.

10. You can add a link to the
overall blog page, to a specific
blog or create a new blog
here.

12. The link is denoted by the
blog icon. Click here to access
the blog.

13. Click Create Blog
Entry to add content.
Other student blogs
can be accessed
through this pane on
the right.

14. Indexed entries.
Comments.

15. Journals.

16. Journals
16
• Can be a private space.
• Contributions can be graded.
• Options to include multimedia.
• Tutor can navigate between student journals.

17. Journals can be created and managed
through the Control Panel.
Click Journal to access the journals page.
Click Create Journal to start.

18. Add title and descriptive text
to clarify purpose.

19. If you wish to have private, individual
journals for students, ensure this box
is UNTICKED.
(Please note that group journals are created
when using the group tool, not here).

20. A journal can be added to a
content area from the Tools
menu.

21. You can add a link to the
overall journal page, to a
specific journal or create a
new journal here.

23. The link is denoted by the
journal icon. Click here to
access the journal.

24. Click Create Journal
Entry to add content.
Other student
journals can be
accessed through this
pane on the right.

25. Indexed entries.
Comments.

26. Wikis.

27. Wikis
27
• Collaboration in one area – co-authored content.
• Options to include multimedia.
• ‘Live’ content.
• Can view history of contributions by student.

28. Wikis can be created and managed
through the Control Panel.
Click Wikis to access the wikis page.
Click Create Wiki to start.

29. Add title and descriptive text
to clarify purpose.

30. A wiki can be added to a
content area from the Tools
menu.

31. You can add a link to the
overall wiki page, to a
specific wiki or create a
new wiki here.

33. The link is denoted by
the wiki icon. Click here
to access the wiki.

34. Click Create Wiki Page
to add content.
Pages are listed here.
Click Participation
Summary to view
individual
contributions.

36. Global Navigation
Menu and Spaces
Tool

37. Global Navigation
Menu
Click on your name to build a
Profile and access other tools.

38. Your Profile will then be added to
the GSA community. Click on the
People tool to find other staff and
students.

39. View other Profiles according to
course or community. Follow or
Message other people.

40. The Spaces tool allows staff and
students to develop online
networks outside of courses and
communities.

41. Spaces can be used for any
creative or professional purpose.
Click Create a Space to begin.

42. Add a name for the Space and
start typing part of a name to
invite contributors.

43. Click Edit Space to add a picture,
descriptive text and invite
additional participants.

44. New members will receive an
invitation notification.
Members can add or edit
contributions.