One of the problems with VLEs is they tend to have a linear structure
(resources are listed linearly) and although we can use folder structures to
give some structure, with most VLEs as you navigate into the folder
structure you lose site of the 'bigger picture' of where the resources are
in relation to everything else.
I have recently been running training at a few colleges with the Mind
Mapping software 'Inspirations', and I have discovered that it is possible
to use Inspirations to link learning resources together in a meaningful
organised structured visual map, you can then package the whole thing up as
HTML (and Inspirations will then take copies of all the resources in this
process) and then upload the whole thing to a VLE.
The advantages are:-
1) If you have a lot of resources to upload, this is actually a much quicker
way of doing this
2) The learners have the resources arranged in a more meaningful way
3) As the whole thing is packaged in HTML, you can access the materials on
any computer without needing the Inspirations software
4) If in the future your organisation ever changes VLE, rather than
transferring 100s of individual resources, you would only have to transfer a
much smaller number of packages
5) The packages could work offline, so if networks fail, you have some kind
of a back up plan
I have so far tested this with Moodle and Blackboard, and instructions for
each are on my blog, links are below. I imagine that the process will work
with other VLEs and with other Mind Mapping software, but I haven't had a
chance to test them yet.
Moodle
http://davefoord.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/integrating-inspirations-outputs-i
nto-moodle-to-manage-files/
or
http://tinyurl.com/4jhf8d
Blackboard
http://davefoord.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/uploading-an-inspirations-output-t
o-blackboard/
Or
http://tinyurl.com/5ld5r5
Dave Foord
A6 Training and Consultancy Ltd
Mobile: 07922115678
Tel/Fax: 01509 556950
web: www.A6training.co.uk
Skype:dave.foord
A6 Training and Consultancy LTD is a registered Company 6025999 (registered
in England and Wales).
Registered Office: 8 Cartland Drive, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 5YD
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