Workshop 3 - Learning Platforms

A Learning Platform (LP) is “a generic term to describe a system of information and communication technologies that is used to deliver and support learning” (DfES)  This week's workshop looked at the use of Learning Platforms in schools. Also known as Virtual Learning Environments.A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is a set of teaching and learning tools to improve a pupil's learning  by including computers and the internet in the learning process. A VLE package include curriculum mapping (breaking curriculum into sections that can be assessed), student tracking, online support for both teacher and student, electronic communication (e-mail, chat, Web publishing), and internet links to other resources.   The teacher sees what a students sees, but the teacher can also track student performance. There are many VLE software packages available which include Education City, Moodle and Fronter.


 The benefits are numerous for all the users:
Teachers can access lesson plans and materials online, track ans assess pupils and receive pupils' work.
Pupils can communicate in discussions and submit work online.
Parents can play a greater role in their children's learning and access school information.
also need to consider the advantages for school admin and support staff, scholl governors and managers.
Basically, VLE's allow greater communication and accessibility for everyone in a school environment.


The Government's e-strategy aim was that:

• by spring 2008 every pupil should have access to a personalised online learning space with the potential to support an e-portfolio (provided by their local authority)
• by 2010 every school should have integrated learning and management systems (a comprehensive suite of learning platform technologies). (BECTA)

However for many schools, particularly primary schools, this is an ongoing process.
The most obvious concern is cost. All technology requires a substantial investment by a school and it has to be seen as value for money. A further issue is the exclusion of pupils / parents with no access to the internet.


An Ideal World - E portfolios
In the future, the concept of having individual e-portfolios for each pupil which will record evidence and progession throughout  their school life, seems possible.


http://jminto.wikispaces.com/Learning+Platforms

Workshop 2 - Using an interactive whiteboard

In this session we all started to familiarise ourselves with the IWB.The possibilities are endless and the potential to enhance lessons is more than evident!
Basically a lesson comes alive! The visual content stops children being distracted and the content can be adapted for all abilities. The interactive nature means that the whole class can participate and use the IWB.
The following link has a concise and clear article on the benefits of using IWB's, however it does conclude that how well it is used is most important:
http://www.teachers-corner.co.uk/interactive-whiteboard/

In contrast there have been reports questioning the impact of IWB's in schools.A report from The Institute of Education highlighted the following issues:
-Sometimes teachers focussed more on the new technology than on what pupils should be learning.
-The focus on interactivity as a technical process can lead to some relatively mundane activities being over valued.
-It can slow the pace of learning as pupils take turns at the board.
Moss G, Jewitt C, Levaãiç R, Armstrong V, Cardini A, Castle F (2007) The Interactive Whiteboards, Pedagogy and Pupil Performance Evaluation: An Evaluation of the Schools Whiteboard Expansion (SWE) Project: London Challenge http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR816.pdf
I believe the enthusiasm of teachers to enhance their teaching with IWB's can only be beneficial. The key appears to be the word 'enhance' as they are not a replacement for the teacher in the classroom.

This link has some great ideas for using your IWB:
http://www.boxoftricks.net/2008/06/33-interesting-ways-to-use-your-interactive-whiteboard/