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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blended Learning becomes Real

So here I am scratching my head thinking how do I do a flipped class room lesson?

I have a cunning plan a little voice in my head says and off we go. You tube is first point of call for my cunning plan, I don't want to pester my mentor and feel I can work this out if I just dedicate a few hours to it. I have already at this point researched the topic I am covering so I know that's ready to go at least. I found a very useful little clip which enabled me to learn how to put audio on a power point with timings so the slides move as and when I want them too. It is at this point PANIC sets in. I haven't done a power point yet..... In my haste I overlooked the one thing I needed most. All I can do now is smile and start work on the power point presentation.

Qualitative research SMALL AUDIO pp from Sarah Rees

The power point was ready just a few hours later and hopefully you can see it here!  now I haven't worked out yet how to blog a Power Point with audio but I am sure I will no doubt work it. Anyway back to my story so after watching the You tube clip and finally completing my presentation I record my audio, It goes well and I am happy with it, but I can't get the darn thing to play back, nothing, not a word, so I record it again and then again and still nothing, panic and frustration set in. I walk away from the computer, stand back to take a deep breath, think, think, think, means I can't think.... eventually I check it is not on mute...bet you can't GUESS the issue... It was on MUTE... while I was happy and pleased, I felt so dumb, technology and me just don't seem to mix but I did learn a new skill and was super pleased sending the finished presentation to my mentor for uploading to the VLE.
It did make me think though about the pro's and cons of a blended learning program and I can across a good web page reagrding the Pro's and Cons of Blended learning.

 My own experience was overall a great one when I used a system designed by the Open University, but I can see how easy it would be for students to fall behind when registered upon a self-directed learning course. One of the benefits of seeing your students is that you remind them, encourage them and offer extra support, but when everything is done via email I think it may not have the same impact. Another issue would be how do you keep the students motivated if they are self-directed? It is a tough one for an educator to balance out but I am sure those are skills I will no doubt learn soon enough. The main pro for blended learning which makes me a great advocate for it is that Increases accessibility, which no doubt means individuals who may never get access to education surely have a better chance now.

References
Bright, S. (2014). Pros and Cons of Blended Learning. Available:http://www.digitalchalk.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-blended-learning . Last accessed 17/11/2014

I feel all grown up!!!

The worry and stress of the last week has been overwhelming. It seems I didn't have a placement for me to teach on and observation week was to commence. I was left feeling lost and confused about what to do next. The response of my classmates was one thing I didn't bargain for, I was overwhelmed at their kind words for me and their support. After a weekend of worry a place was found for me within the university upon the degree which I have just graduated from. It is like a dream come true. I was able to meet with my mentor who was my favourite tutor in the degree and I being given the opportunity to have a huge input in to the course content. I have been out this week having an observation week and it has been breath taking. Walking into a lecture hall as a student was exciting but walking into the same hall as a trainee lecturer took my breath away. The room looks so much smaller now than it did before but I think that may just be my perception.
 

I will be doing blended learning course which is so exciting. I shall be given an opportunity to learn many different types of teaching techniques all of which will require the use of technology. I really feel so lucky and blessed to have been given such a unique opportunity that just a few weeks ago would have been unobtainable for me. Blended learning Is the Future.

I have found some interesting websites regarding blended learning and distance learning and will add anything I find in the future. So my blended learning journey starts here.