Virtual Learning Environments, something that can bring so much information together or can become a nightmare for us teachers.
For years i can recall the use of a school network, not so much in primary but more in secondary where the use of logins, passwords and email addresses became standard. Towards the end of my final years of secondary school we were able to access our files anywhere but it was limited to download and edit only, no uploading or creating new work on the network. At that age I was amazed by what technology could do for learning but I knew that there was more to do here.
As a current BEd student (ICT Specialism) we are encouraged to broaden our knowledge of ICT resources which includes the use of VLEs and MLEs, our University Sharepoint AKA Tulip and any others we come across on our placements and course. throughout my years prior to my time here at the University of Plymouth I began alot of video and photographic promotion and I required a website, this is when I discovered moonfruit.com, a free website creator based on a flash code full of free widgets, image and video tools which at the time were ideal for my promotional work. As time went by on the course we were required to look into the use and costing of VLEs in schools, we were asked to see if it was possible to create an online learning environment for free.
After a few hours we eventually built this, using moonfruit we were able to add all the pages and tabs required to run the fundamental basics for an online environment that could be used for schools. http://eict201.moonfruit.com/
We later added the use of Google Apps to further strengthen the site. Google has many apps available to use for free for education and all you need is a domain to start with. The use of Google's Docs for cloud style storage, blogging for classwork sharing and email accounts for contact are great ways to bring the class work home, learning doesn't end at 3:15, it continues at home, on a laptop or PC and even mobile devices. I can see the use of Google Apps taking place in many schools in the future, especially with many budget cuts in forthcoming years. They are currently in 61 of the top 100 schools in the world which would suggest that they are doing something right over at Google HQ.
It is my understanding that Schools try too hard to replicate themselves online and in doing so they might not be as effective as they could be, this part of the module has helped me to see that regardless of cost or company behind a VLE, if run correctly it might just stand a chance of creating a more useful home learning environment.
First ever blog please bare with me on grammar and spelling etc as I know this is something i need to work on, many thanks
J.Stoner
Any adventure starts with the first step. :) Your topic for your first post is a good one. Your prediction regarding the use of Google Apps is already beginning as I've seen in some tweets. How extensive is for the future.
ReplyDeleteMy journey into computers started in 1975 with a PDP8 at university. My first use in schools was in 1981 where my school shared one Apple II computer with five other schools. I introduced computers to three schools, the third I even dared to suggest networking some.
My favourite Principal (Head Teacher) quote at the time, "Schools will never need a network."
Networking came so next I dared suggest I introduce the internet. There was much concern about the costs. I said I would use my account and pay the $5 an hour for usage. I ran a long phone extension cord, or trundled an Apple IIc down to a connection and we were underway in the late 80s.
Another Principal, "If we get a big phone bill, I'll be after you.
The school didn't. They paid local costs and I paid for the internet when we connected.
Digital photography & video, websites, emails, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, blogs, etc have all come along. Much has changed in over 30 years of computing. Now I'm retired from full time teaching but have never been more connected with classes than I am now.
Great first post. Let there be many more. :)
Ross Mannell (teacher)
NSW, Australia
Interesting post - I wonder if you could elaborate more about the learning part of using these tools? I get from the above the organisational aspects but would be very interested to hear how a VLE/Learning Platform would support learning in the classroom...
ReplyDelete