![Implementing a VLE “… staff do not always understand VLEs or their potential benefits to students. Although all staff were given a demonstration of how [the VLE] worked, only 56% of them were given an introduction to VLEs.” “ A teacher, subject expert or paid and trained individual is needed to add content and ensure an organised infrastructure of folders” Source: Mullen, Susan. Implementing VLEs in Secondary Schools. Update , April 2007: 38-39](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/marianne-bradnock-the-school-library-and-the-virtual-learning-environment2307/85/The-School-Library-and-the-Virtual-Learning-Environment-9-320.jpg)
The School Library and the Virtual Learning Environment
- 1. The School Library & the Virtual Learning Environment Marianne Bradnock, Dulwich College
- 2. What is a VLE? “ a standardised, computer-based environment that supports the delivery of web-based learning and facilitates on-line interaction between students and teachers”. Source: Becta, 2003
- 3. How is it different from a school’s intranet? Intranet Content Management System Portal VLE: virtual learning environment MLE: managed learning environment
- 5. The main features of a VLE Individual working space Anytime, anywhere access Content Management Communication tools Management tools
- 6. Some VLE products 10 Becta approved products Open source solutions VLEs from MIS suppliers The rest…
- 7. With a VLE… Students Can: Access online learning 'Anywhere - Anytime' Carry out assignments and tasks online and in many cases marked automatically with instant feedback Access course materials developed and packaged by the school specifically to meet school / student needs Monitor their own progress through courses and assignments Work with teachers through exactly the same mechanisms as well as submitting assignments. Receive automatic warnings when assignments and task are due to be submitted Work with other students through email, discussion groups and chat Teachers Can: Plan and develop courses simply and quickly Use existing course resources prepared in Word, PowerPoint, HTML and other common formats Use any digital resources they have purchased for whole school use Monitor the progress of individual students and classes automatically Set assignments and tasks, many of them to be automatically marked Purchase an ever increasing range of Curriculum Online (COL) compliant courses from a range of suppliers with eLearning Credits SIMS.net Learning Platform
- 8. What are the benefits? Motivates & engages students Breaks down barriers to learning Supports self-directed learning Allows students to learn at their own pace Promotes collaborative learning Caters for different styles of learning Helps students organise better Aids revision Provides one-to-one support for students Embeds the use of ICT in subject teaching Provides unlimited access to information
- 9. Implementing a VLE “… staff do not always understand VLEs or their potential benefits to students. Although all staff were given a demonstration of how [the VLE] worked, only 56% of them were given an introduction to VLEs.” “ A teacher, subject expert or paid and trained individual is needed to add content and ensure an organised infrastructure of folders” Source: Mullen, Susan. Implementing VLEs in Secondary Schools. Update , April 2007: 38-39
- 10. Let’s discuss… What practical issues can you see for the library if/when your school introduces a VLE? Can the school librarian play a part in its selection, implementation and management? How could you, as librarian, make use of a VLE to engage readers, support learning and promote services?
- 11. 1. Library vs VLE Can they exist side by side? Is there a risk that the library will become peripheral to the learning and research process? Will the organisation of information and resources become an IT responsibility, rather than the librarian’s?
- 12. 2. Librarians getting involved Adapting Collaborating Organising information Providing resources Managing knowledge Being ‘champions’
- 13. 3. Libraries and VLEs together Engaging readers Supporting learning Promoting services Information - Interaction - Collaboration – Instruction The next 3 slides include some of the ideas which emerged during workshop discussion
- 14. Engaging Readers Shadowing regional book awards Online discussion about books Targeting specific age groups/subjects with reading lists Timed release of resources for annual promotions (eg Black History Month) Virtual guests: videoconferencing with authors?
- 15. Supporting Learning Interactive information skills tutorials eg http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/informationliteracy/ Quizzes to test understanding of plagiarism issues Integrating resources with subject areas of VLE Timed/themed reading lists for particular topics, linked to OPAC e-resources linked to curricular areas Electronic versions of past exam papers (copyright?)
- 16. Promoting services Library documents and policies Library news and announcements on bulletin board Using forums to discuss library services Surveying students online about library use Virtual tour of the library Training materials about using e-resources
- 17. With thanks to… Sue Blood, Hurstpierpoint College Helen Farrar, Cockermouth School Susan Mullen, John Cleveland College Elspeth Scott, Menzieshill High School Laura Taylor, City of London Academy and many other school librarians
- 18. VLE Reading List Becta. Schools: Learning Platforms http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=lv&catcode=ss_lv_lp_03 Becta (2003) Virtual and Managed Learning Environments. http://tinyurl.com/2yeugj Becta (2006) Learning Platform Functional Requirements http://tinyurl.com/l3kbf Becta (2002?) A review of the research literature o the use of managed learning environments and virtual learning environments in education, and a consideration of the implication for schools in the United Kingdom. http://www.becta.org.uk/page_documents/research/VLE_report.pdf Becta (2006). Learning Platform Technical Specifications. http://tinyurl.com/2zrf3h
- 19. Becta (2004). What the research says about Virtual Learning Environments in Teaching and Learing. 2 nd ed. http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/15003.pdf Chin, Paul. Virtual Learnng Environments. Learning and Teaching Support Network, ISBN 1903815061. JISC Infonet. Creating a managed learning environment. http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/InfoKits/creating-an-mle/index_html McColl, J (2001). Virtuous learning environments: the library and the VLE. Program, 35(3):P pp 227-239 http://www.aslib.com/program/2001/jul/03.html Melling, Maxine (editor) (2005). Supporting e-learning: a guide for library and information managers. London: Facet Publishing. Mullen, Susan. Implementing VLEs in secondary schools. Update, April 2007: 38-39 Secker, Jane (2004). Electronic resources in the Virtual Learning Environment.: a guide for librarians. Oxford: Chandos Publishing.
Editor's Notes
- #2: WELCOME. Many Librarians with more extensive experience of VLEs. Apologies for covering what you already know – hope that everyone will come away from session with at least one useful idea! VLEs have potential to bring about fundamental changes – on a practical level - in how teachers teach and children learn, with, some might think, far-reaching implications for the role of the library. Important for librarians to be well informed Play an active part in the selection and implementation of a VLE Ensure that the library is at its heart as it is developed. Structure: Hands on not practical – time, different VLEs/requirements 1 – examine exactly what we mean by a VLE: what it aims to achieve in educational terms, and the tools it provides to achieve this 2 – discuss how we think a VLE impacts on the school library & how we might get involved in its administration 3 – practical ideas how to promote services, engage readers, support learning