Archive for the ‘virtual learning environments’ tag
Virtual Learning Environments Oversold?
John Spencer of Sirius Corporation, syndicated on ComputerworldUK rants (his word) about Virtual Learning Environments:
It’s been 8 years now, during which time VLEs have been massively promoted by Becta (the UK education quango) there are now loads of them, the best is the free software called Moodle but hardly anyone uses any VLE at all let alone the best one!
Article: The last VLE ever?
Virtual Learning Environments Slow to Take Off in UK
A report, Virtual learning environments: an evaluation of their development in a sample of educational settings, published today by the UK’s Office for Standards in Education , shows that despite expectations the use of Virtual Learning Environments across schools and colleges has been slow to take off.
The survey, carried out in a range of settings, including schools, colleges, work-based learning and adult and community learning centres, says the concept of VLEs is still relatively new and represents only a small aspect of learning.
Among other points, the report says: “The common factor in effective VLEs was the enthusiasm of the subject teacher; that is enthusiasm for the subject and teaching and learning as much as any competence in computing”.
The news release is here: The virtual reality of e-learning
The report is here: Virtual learning environments: an evaluation of their development in a sample of educational settings
An article in The Guardian provides a bit of background and perspective: No escape from turning up to class