Greetings dear hearts.
Peter Trethewey makes some good points when he asks this question.
I view a VLE as a tool to support and enhance 'classic' styles of teaching,
or at least, that is the way I intend to implement it here. I believe that
such a system can be used for such as: -
1. Empowering students to prepare for lessons by acquiring information about
whatever they are to be dealing with in class - so that contact time can be
spent on USING that information, rather than giving it out.
2. Enabling students to catch up on things they have missed without having
to rely on the willingness of their fellows to share notes - notes which may
not contain an accuracte record of the lesson anyway. It can also assist
those who are weaker at taking notes in class to ensure that they have
everything that they need.
3. Providing structured guidance and materials for students wishing to 'read
around' their subject, either because they are genuinely fascinated (what we
all hope to instill in them!) or because they need to do research for an
assignment.
4. Reducing some of the administrative overhead from the teacher - who does
not, for example, have to keep track of who has done what, she can look on
the system records.
5. Provide for greater support for students by making peer discussion groups
and 'ask the teacher' sessions available on an asynchronous basis (i.e. a
student may ask a question and the teacher can reply - either to the student
or to the whole group - at his convenience, without either using up contact
time or having to be available at set times outside of lessons).
These are just some of the benefits of a VLE as a TOOL. It's not a master.
It won't do everything for us. But used intelligently, it can put
information at people's fingertips, make it easier for them to learn and for
us to teach. That's what I'm after!
Sorry to go on a bit, but the whole concept of the educational uses of IT is
something I tend to get excited about. If I wasn't typing I'd be waving my
arms around by now :-)
Hugs and kisses,
Megan.
ILT Champion, Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College.
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