At 13:15 06/12/01 -0000, Peter Jackson wrote:
>Hi
>I can't help thinking we should step back a moment before we all
>launch into stinging criticisms of VMLE technology.
>Hey presto!! Long live MLEs!!!
>
>Of course the BIG issues remain the same - staff development,
>cultural change, ownership, content etc etc. BUT - and this I think
>is crucial - the need for an integrated, holistic yet multi-dimensional
>ENVIRONMENT is now well and truly established.
>
>So, let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater here folks.
>LONG LIVE VLEs!!!!
>
My apologies for the delay in responding to this thread. I've been on
holiday for a week, and am just catching up.
I would like to endorse what peter jackson says. There are lots of issues
around online (and distance) learning generally, and using ICT/ILT to
support and enhance teaching and learning. These issues are relevant
whether we are talking about MLEs, VLEs, intranets, learndirect, or the web
sites that many lecturers set up themselves, using their own private web
space. The question isn't if MLEs/VLEs enhance learning and teaching - it's
much broader than that, it's does ILT enhance learning and teaching? I
think most people will say that the answer to that is yes - if not, the 425
members of this list (and those on other lists, like the 443 people on the
ILT champions list) really are wasting their time.
So, if we accept that ILT enhances teaching and learning, then we need
suitable tools to support ILT, and VLEs are just one of these tools. Like
Peter says, they provide an integrated environment, rather than colleges
having to assemble an environment from lots of different products. And
that's it, really.
At least as important as the environment is how the lecturer uses it. You
can deliver lousy teaching using a VLE. You can also deliver lousy teaching
face to face. Let's not make VLEs more than they really are, but let's not
diminish them either. Of course, the debate about pedagogy is important,
but that began long before VLEs (and ICT) and will continue long after they
are in common use in universities, colleges and schools. And it's important
that this list is used to explore issues of online learning. But it's also
important that the list is used for the other, technical questions which
are relevant to practitioners. For example, if an environment is carefully
designed using sound pedagogical principles, but, say, is very complicated
for lecturers to learn to use, then it won't be used. If there's an
absolutely brilliant environment, but which costs a fortune, then it won't
be bought, and people will choose something which maybe isn't quite as
good, but which is cheaper, and which still enhances teaching and learning.
Geoff.
Geoff Minshull
Direct Learn Training
Online services to education, courseware development, project management,
deafness/disability consultancy
Web: http://www.directlearn.co.uk/ - last updated 18.11.01
Tel: +44 (0)1629 540386 Mob: 0771 264 7600 Fax: +44 (0)1629 540820
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