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Starting out with a VLE - what to expect
The document discusses the effective use of virtual learning environments (VLEs), emphasizing the importance of engaging content and enthusiastic teaching to enhance student learning. It highlights key guidelines for writing in VLEs, recommending a reader-friendly tone and scannable text. Additionally, it offers resources for further information on VLEs and student expectations at the University of Sheffield.
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Starting out with a VLE - what to expect
- 1. Starting out witha VLE... what to expect... Sarah Horrigan Learning Technologies Manager, CiCS
- 2. …what is thisgoing to be about?
- 3.
- 4. Some things tothink about… Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/66164549@N00/2260970300/sizes/l/
- 5. I’m going toshare a secret with you…
- 6. Interesting Not useful Useful Dull
- 7. Interesting Things your Engaging 6 year old says learning Chocolate Marking teapots scripts Not useful Raincoats Useful Watching paint Virtual learning dry environments Dull
- 8. VL Es aren’t that e xcitin g Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21099071@N03/3731709213/
- 9. “… communications toolsdon’t get socially interesting until they get technologically boring”Source: Clay Shirky, 2008 Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrysti/2250223529/
- 10. Get the basicsin place
- 11. M inim ize cha os!
- 12. ... don’t aim But um! or the minim f Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/49503180180@N01/447379393/
- 13. “… The bestVLEs reviewed allowed learners to reinforce their routine work, or catch up on missed lessons. In those best cases the material offered was fun and helpful and was being used well by learners…” Image source: Maccio Capatonda, http://www.flickr.com/photos/gattomimmo/2217134329/
- 14. “… In theleast effective examples, documents had been dumped on the system and forgotten.” Source: OFSTED, 2009 Source: Sandman, ‘Storm Cell at Sunset’, http://www.flickr.com/photos/dotdoubledot/1281864495
- 15. “The common factorin effective VLEs was the enthusiasm of the subject teacher; that is enthusiasm for the subject and teaching and learning as much as any competence in computing”Source: OFSTED, 2009 Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxbraun/104431360/
- 16. Make the mostof its potential
- 17. Writing style... Source: JennaCarver, http://www.flickr.com/photos/babyowls/2329783873/
- 18. Some guidelines… Make Text'Scannable‘… Highlight keywords Provide meaningful headings and subheadings Include one idea per paragraph
- 19. Some guidelines… Keep yourtone reader-friendly: Be conversational Be welcoming Try to get a sense of narrative running through your text
- 20. Above all… use plain English! Image Source: Fabian Blanca, http://www.flickr.com/photos/faby74/3022829811/
- 21. Other uses? development Staff Commun ities of pr act ice ial spaces Soc Shari ng resour c es
- 22. How to preparestudents for their online learning with TUoS?
- 23. But... they're notusing Moodle... Source: amarola, http://www.flickr.com/photos/amarola/268642793/
- 24. What’s the difference? Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54448386@N00/2993803017/
- 25. (it doesn't mattertoo much) Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54448386@N00/2993803017/
- 26. What is expected of students at the University of Sheffield?
- 27.
- 28.
- 29. Further resources JISC InfoKit,'Effective use of VLEs' http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/InfoKits/effective-use-of- VLEs Moodle FAQs - http://docs.moodle.org/22/en/About_Moodle_FAQ CiCS, University of Sheffield - http://shef.ac.uk/cics
Editor's Notes
- #4 Image source: brunkfordbraun, ‘Idea’, http://www.flickr.com/photos/67961268@N00/330793963/
- #5 Cardboard box question - what do you typically use a cardboard box for? I use it for putting stuff in - for moving offices etc. My children use them for any other thing - robot, space ship, house, cave, puppet show, boat... Don't be afraid to experiment and play with the spaces you've got online. You'll develop your own teaching style.
- #6 ... but first, I'm going to ask you a question - what was your most positive learning experience? Any volunteers?
- #9 Image source: SkyWaker kj2043, ‘ 海風輕吹 ... 樂逍遥 ’ , http://www.flickr.com/photos/21099071@N03/3731709213/
- #10 * Source: Shirky, C. (2008) “Here Comes Everybody”, p.105 Image Source: ArtByChristi, ‘Flourish’, http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrysti/2250223529/
- #12 Aim for consistency - whether that's agreeing that there is a common standard of materials to be provided in every module - handbook, assessments, revision materials etc or a common use of colour to help students know where they are.
- #13 Image source: cuellar, ‘Unforgiven’, http://www.flickr.com/photos/49503180180@N01/447379393/
- #14 * Source: OFSTED, (2009) “VLE an evaluation of their development in a sample of educational settings”, [online] http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/Virtual-learning-environments-an-evaluation-of-their-development-in-a-sample-of-educational-settings, p.4
- #15 * Source: OFSTED, (2009) “VLE an evaluation of their development in a sample of educational settings”, [online] http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/Virtual-learning-environments-an-evaluation-of-their-development-in-a-sample-of-educational-settings, p.4
- #16 * Image Source: Max Braun, ‘Heinrich’, http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxbraun/104431360 Source: OFSTED, (2009) “VLE an evaluation of their development in a sample of educational settings”, [online] http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/Virtual-learning-environments-an-evaluation-of-their-development-in-a-sample-of-educational-settings, p.4
- #17 * Insert video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkhpmEZWuRQ
- #18 Narrative, clarity of writing, signposting, linking in and out of each section etc…
- #21 Image Source: Fabian Blanca, http://www.flickr.com/photos/faby74/3022829811/ *
- #24 You don't need to worry too much about what system they're using (it's Blackboard Learn 9.1 if you're interested!)... what's more important is that you get them used to finding their course materials in one place, that they're using to navigating a VLE, that they know where to find any course announcements / emails etc and how you'll be handling assessments.
- #25 Image source: Jnarin, ‘The One Chosen…’, http://www.flickr.com/photos/54448386@N00/2993803017/
- #26 Image source: Jnarin, ‘The One Chosen…’, http://www.flickr.com/photos/54448386@N00/2993803017/