Is there anyone out there using a VLE for their own distance learning courses, and can share their own experiences?
I do use a VLE for my post-graduate studies and besides making regular visits abroad, I also had the opportunity of listening to a prerecorded lecture via the VLE which included a visual presentation, as one of the long-distance tasks. It was a fantastic experience, especially having had previous face-to-face sessions and class discussions. Just listening to her voice was a relief, and I found it quite motivating which was a boon in face of the geographical distance which can be a demotivating factor. However, I cannot say that the VLE can easily replace traditional face-to-face teaching. I see it as complementary.
Following my degree I had the opportunity to participate in a pilot e-learning project. It was my first experience in e-learning, we had a variety of participants, some experienced users and others were beginners. The positive thing about the course was that we students were very participant, in some occasions through the use of forums we could contribute our own knowledge to help one another. At one point the forum was so developed that part of the module elaborated on the forum posts.
ReplyDeleteThe module was rich in content, all lectures were made using flash presentations, we would have weekly quizzes and had a telnet connection for working worksheets. The exam itself was also web based. I agree that VLE cannot meet the advantages of having face-to-face lectures.
I think that e-learning requires a lot of self-discipline and motivation by the student in that the teacher would not be present to motivate the student to work harder and pay attention. The student should be also careful not to do too much selective reading which could lead him/her into skipping material which is crucial to the module.
I do use the Virtual Learning Environment and have been using it for quite a few years now. I must say that if it were not for it, I would not have been able to further my studies as I have due to time restrictions. It is especially useful in courses which are funded by EU and involve the partnership of a number of Universities from different EU countries. It becomes like a multicultural class which to me is extremely appealing. At times it feels silly using VLE when speaking to Maltese students or tutors when we would be a stone’s throw away, but on the whole it is a very positive experience for me. We also manage to do loads of group work on line which is not half as easy as being face-to-face. Since we are not all on-line at the same time, one has to learn to be patient and wait for colleagues’ inputs before taking group decisions.
ReplyDeleteThe excitement at the prospect of the possibility of meeting fellow students for graduation is great too.
Tatjana Chircop
I have found this interesting on virtual learning environments. At the very beginning it is stressed that staff should be trained , and that proper hardware and software be provided. It can be seen that elearning and vles are the future. Unfortunately mcast seems keen only to invest in stone and concrete. The biggest returns will come from the investment in the people-ware.
ReplyDeleteHas mcast planned training of staff in elearning tools? We are learning about eleaning and not the many elearning tools and softwares available! Is mcast going to provide its staff with the hardware tools? Are the staff going to be given time to train and prepare in elearning?
Virtual learning environments (VLEs) use computers to allow remote access to learning materials. As the routine use of computers becomes all pervasive, there is an expectation that VLEs will form a significant part of the next generation’s experience of learning. This survey evaluates how VLEs are developing within a selection of providers.
“The common factor in 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. The more successful providers had provided their staff with a general introduction to the concept of VLEs, and then offered individuals encouragement in their curriculum area with more specialist detailed help when needed.”
Of particular interest to me are some of the ‘Key Findings’;
• “The best VLEs enhanced learning, giving learners the opportunity to reinforce aspects of their work as well as the chance to catch up on missed material. VLEs were least effective when they had little content or were just a dumping ground for rarely used files.”
• “The self-assessment of VLEs and their impact on learning was underdeveloped.”
and the ‘Recommendations’;
Providers should “develop staff development systems where whole-institution events concentrate on understanding the potential benefits of the VLE and sharing of good practice, as well as a general awareness of strategy, while skills needs are met on an individual basis.” Providers must “link VLE development with improving the effective use of integrated learning technology in classrooms and workshop
Source / Read more: http://www.dontwasteyourtime.co.uk/elearning/vle-an-evaluation-of-their-development-in-a-sample-of-educational-settings/#ixzz0q5iqPZno
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
•
Source / Read more: http://www.dontwasteyourtime.co.uk/elearning/vle-an-evaluation-of-their-development-in-a-sample-of-educational-settings/#ixzz0q5iRz0jZ
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike
Similar to what MJBagley said I have followed a VLE post university degree course myself. I followed an industrially let Black Belt Lean six sigma course and used a VLE application developed by Morestream University for the company I was working with.
ReplyDeleteThe course consisted with an online course and tutorials, vidoes and audio with the support with multiple choice exercises and a test after each topic.
The course was carried out over a period of 5 months and in between I had to go abroad for 3 wks stepped in 1 wk training each. These courses started off well however one of the main issues we found (we being me and other students from other non-english speaking countries) was that the language being used by the web based system was American rather then standard English. Hence when we came across the multiple questions and / or the voice tutorials, the language barrier did come out as a sore point.
In essence the material covered individually had to be recovered during the onsite 3 week training course. Hence the collaboration between VLE learning and human interaction is a must, and having a full VLE system is not an option in my opinion, especially in the more complex mathematical and engineering subjects.
Reference
http://www.moresteam.com/university/