How using a VLE has been so far?

Now having been an undergraduate using a VLE for the last three years I have been able to see the system from both sides, It was a valuable tool for me to access lecture slides, resources, and even grades, but I never witnessed the system being interactive. Thus I am now from the flip side of the coin scratching my head for ways to make it interactive as the educator. I have been lucky enough to been given an opportunity to work upon a blended learning program or two, and this has given me greater insight into how not to use the system from my own experiences.

It seemed like a dumping ground for sure when I was accessing it, but I must admit I am unsure if I would have engaged with it in any other way.

 

This is the kind of pages upon the VLE (Moodle) which the university of Wales Trinity st David (UWTSD) had when I was an undergraduate. It was useful for resources but not much interactivity and now I am working on a module on Moodle myself I too struggle to make it interactive.  

You can see here the use of audio PowerPoint so the students get a similar lecture experience, I have also created reflective exercises for the students to engage in and resources for them to access, Apart from checking who has signed in and emailing those who haven't,  I have very little control over the students and who engages with the resources or not. The more independent learners all engage and this is evident in the assessments they are producing. I have offered online tutorial support on many occasions but they have been declined or no shows, however interestingly when I offered face to face support they all attended and it was a success. One of the benefits of the VLE is that the sources are available long after the sessions have been completed and the students are able to re access as and when they please. I do so wish I had this facility when I was doing my degree.  

 

The difference with the VLE is it is not supporting the face to face session but is a tool which is used to replace it. Newland (2014) make reference to the fact that students feel the use of a VLE is successful as a repository for materials and resources, but it is clear that's students do not feel the VLE could replace contact with tutors. This supports my experience so far using the Moodle system for the blended learning program.