a)
I do not recall even implying that Technology was neutral the fact that it
is not was actually my point. I would say that university style
learning,being asynchronous and resource based,is more suited to VLE
delivery than is the case in colleges. I did not advocate that people use a
balance sheet approach I simply suggested that it was the learning that was
important and that one should plan the learning and then buy the technology
that helped you deliver it. The option of buying the technology then working
out what you could do with it seems to me to be somewhat unprofessional.
b)
Being a humble Engineer, I have difficulty separating point a from point b.
I agree that the way we teach is limited by what facilities we have but we
are in control of what technology we use. We surely buy the technology to
suit the teaching methods that work best.
Ken Smith
ILT Specialist
RSC South East
Work: 0118 967 5451
Mobile 07814 023986
http://www.rsc-southeast.ac.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Virtual Learning Environments [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Rachel Ellaway
Sent: 07 January 2003 16:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: who needs a VLE? - more than a balance sheet
There are two important points that we might consider regarding
whether a technology is beneficial.
a) technology is not neutral - it tends to change strategies and
goals in a reciprocal relationship with its context of use rather
than just passively facilitating preconceived objectives. In this way
employing a VLE may well facilitate educational processes but its
presence and use will alter these processes and the conceptions of
those involved. I have had a number of conversations with users of
VLEs that have shown that despite being frustrated with this or that
aspect of WebCT, Blackboard or whatever, these people still value the
opportunity they have had to experiment and develop their teaching
and learning strategies. That leads on to my second point-
b) teaching and learning is not a static commodity - how we conceive
our philosophies and practices regarding teaching and learning are
closely tied in with the facilities we have to realise them. Using a
technology such as a VLE will tend to change both the way we think
about teaching and learning and the way we do it. And this in turn
will alter the kinds and forms of the tools we need and so on.
To that end, although we need to balance benefit against investment,
it is more complex than just a balance sheet approach. Evaluating
whether a technology lets you do a 'better job' should include these
transformative aspects as well as the immediate utility it affords.
We should also be aware that our conception of what is done, how it
is done and why it is done may also change.
Rachel Ellaway
MVM Learning Technology Section
The University of Edinburgh
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ken Smith
>
>>>If the VLE enables you to do a better job of delivering your chosen
>strategy then you have >>good reason to buy into it, if not then why
>bother?
>
>I couldn't agree more with this comment.
>
>There is no point in using ILT/VLE/Technology unless it does a better
>job than before. If the tools increase learning, increase retention,
>increase achievement, etc.. then use them. If they don't then don't
>bother. Never use technology for technologies sake, use it because it
>works.
>
>James Clay
>Director Western Colleges Consortium
>e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>www.westerncc.ac.uk
>
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>Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
>The Ferl VLE Focus Area is at http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
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***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
The Ferl VLE Focus Area is at http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave vle
***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
The Ferl VLE Focus Area is at http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave vle
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