Planning
We've produced a document which may help you plan for using a Virtual
Learning Environment (or other form of technology-enhanced learning) in
your institution.
Contact us for more details.
What steps should you take in planning a Virtual Learning Environment?
What costs and staff issues should be considered and how should you
plan for implementation and deployment?
Although there are
many tasks and functions which a Virtual Learning Environment can help
with, ranging through course and learner administration to social
networking, that central word “learning” should be at the heart of
initial planning. If learning is not enhanced and supported, then a VLE
is probably not the tool you need – a Management/Student Information
System or a straightforward website or portal tool might be better.
If
you decide on a VLE, which is best for you? Will it be a commercial VLE
such as Blackboard or Fronter or perhaps an open-source, non-commercial
or free VLE such as Moodle, Sakai, Dokeos or Bodington? Or you might
decide on a combination of portal tools such as SharePoint and standard
website functionality, possibly embracing popular social tools like
Facebook or Elgg.
We offer initial consultancy sessions to
help you consider your decisions and to get things right, followed by
project assistance if necessary. We will make sure you know all the
options so that you can plan from a position of understanding and
knowledge, not of guesswork.
Once your VLE or other tools
are in place, you will need to train the users, and - just as important
- engage both teachers and learners. We can help with this process too,
both by helping you plan well and by working with your staff to make
sure that your investment on the technology to support and enhance
learning is effective.
Consultancy costs are based on £450 per day plus expenses.