Virtual Learning Environments



Virtual Learning environments (VLE) provide an online learning experience where the teacher can be recorded as part of the lesson or do the lesson live from a distance. This can be used so that students can have a flexible learning environment e.g. home schooling, patients studying in hospitals or for students who do not fit into the standard school system. Additionally VLE can be used by schools during epidemics or pandemics where students have to stay at home e.g. H1N1, SARS, Bird Flew.
In the working place, VLE may be offered to provide flexible training opportunities for staff.

The Technology

Visit the Adobe website to find out about the technologies that they have available to create online content. E.g. Macromedia Breeze for Education, Adobe Acrobat Connect Pro 7, Adobe Presenter, Adobe Captivate etc.

Alternatively look at the demos of Elluminate live (needs installing in advance) http://www.elluminate.com/demo/live_demo.jsp

The University of Western Australia has developed a software called Lectopia http://ilectures.uwa.edu.au

Case Studies of E-Learning

  1. EdvenTTUres of E-learning by Professor Daniel Tan, Nanyang Technology University Singapore
Presented at the January 2006, ICT in Education Conference Brunei. Prof Tan presented how e-learning was introduced into his university after 4 years spending Sg$4 million. Web conferencing was used during the SARS outbreak.

The main features of the e-learning are

  • Content Delivery
  • Community Learning (discussion groups)
  • Online Assessment – to include post lecture self tests to give immediate feedback.
  • Safe assignment – to check authenticity of students work
  • E-content – links to the e-library

The role of the ICT centre was to provide the infrastructure and the e-learning was led by IT savvy teachers.

Evidence in the past showed that e-learning was as effective as traditional learning, but now they can see improved performance and reduced failure rate.

For more information: see the pdf format of Prof Tan’s presentation.
Or visit their website:
https://edventure.ntu.edu.sg/webapps/login/index_frame.jsp



2. Canterbury ChristChurch Teacher Training Learning Environment – visit this page to see the day in a life of…
http://www.iteach.ac.uk/LearningOnline/ADayintheLife/tabid/64/Default.aspx

a) Outline what a VLE is and how can they change they way we teach and learn?
b) Describe the possible hardware and software implications for introducing this technology
c) Discuss the use of this technology in hospitals, prisons and retirement homes
To hand in: Evaluate the role of Virtual High Schools in education today.

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