Tideway School, Southdown Road, Newhaven, East Sussex, BN9 9JL.
Background
FAST FACTS
- Learning Platforms, more commonly known as Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), are network-based software packages designed to offer an integrated solution to managing learning on-line.
- They allow teaching and learning resources to be delivered online; the tracking of student participation in activities and discussions; as well as (increasingly) student assessment.
- The main difference between a Learning Platform and other computer-based learning packages is the improved opportunities for communication and collaboration with students and teachers.
- Online collaboration can take place on an individual level between teacher/student (1-2-1), between one member of staff/student and others in a school (1-2-some) and between a member of staff/student and those across a county, a country or even worldwide (1-2-many).
- The range of applications that facilitates communication includes web pages, email, real time web based chat, message and bulletin boards; audio, video and text based conferencing, with a high level of integration between the different elements.
- Learning Platforms are based on a tradition of collaborative learning.
- Much of the research into their use as collaborative learning tools has taken place in higher education, with students over the age of 18 engaged in voluntary studies.
- The DfES in the UK has launched a national strategy to implement the use of Learning Platforms in every junior and secondary school in England and Wales by 2008.
- This investment is taking place despite the fact that there is little available research into the use of Learning Platforms by school age children.
- Building a collaborative learning community of professionals lies at the very heart of the work of the Specialist Schools Trust.
- In 2003, David Hargreaves, Chairman of BECTA, placed teacher collaboration and the use of online technologies to create learning networks firmly on the education agenda with the publication of the pamphlet Education Epidemic : Transforming Secondary Schools through innovation networks.
VTLE - Virtual Teaching and Learning Environment - or another Learning Platform.
"The reason that some children do not flourish at school is not because they suffer from a lack of 1-2-1 teaching opportunities..." (Selwyn)
