VLE summary

Using VLE's: A Hotseat summary

Below is a bullet point summary of a Midwheb Hotseat conversation titled "Exploring the Use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE's)" by Derek Wenmoth. The hotseat began by looking into the use of ICT's in education and focused later more specifically on VLE's. Posted comments included positive observations, critical observations, concerns, reservations, needs and questions. What follows is a bullet point summary of these:

Positive observations:

• VLE's enhance teaching and learning across the curriculum
• VLE's are inclusive and allow access to material from anywhere at anytime
• Feedback from formative online testing can be instant
• Students enjoy the e-zone
• VLE's enhance/build on classroom activities
• Online discussions help ensure the communication of 'pupil voice'
• VLE's offer an engaging alternative to students with special needs
• Online portals motivate parental participation
• Usable even with kindergarten children
• Good for building relationships with other schools, even on an international scale - 1 comment highlights the use of VLE's in English as a Foreign Language teaching that nurtures an international level of collaboration and authentic language experience.

Critical observations:

• VLE's cannot/should not replace face-to-face teaching
• VLE's are more accessible not more effective
• The effectiveness of VLE's depends on learners, their age and learning style/preferences
• VLE's meet the needs of only some learning styles, e.g. visual and not kinaesthetic
• Teacher and parents use is as a tool to monitor children rather than facilitate their learning
• VLE's can reinforce a 'transmission' approach to teaching

Concerns/needs:

• Teachers/students are not sufficiently trained
• Material is not uploaded in a regular fashion
• VLE's do not support children from poorer backgorunds as well as they do other children (not all children have computers at home).
• Lack of of funding for training/equipment

Reservations:

• VLE's should be limited to a minor role
• Preference for 'traditional' methods

Questions:

• To what degree are the successes of VLE's dependent on personal preferences/learning styles?
• How might we make VLE's a good vehicle for children to share stories with parents, teacher and other children?
• How might schools/institutions use VLE's to develop cross-curricular links?
• How might schools/institutions use VLE's to develop community, national and international links?
• What is good model for VLE's, a transmission approach? How might we go about ensuring good practice? 

Follow this link (HERE) for a continuation of this discussion and more thought provoking conversations.