Introducing a virtual learning environment and learning objects into higher education courses

2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Boyle ◽  
Claire Bradley ◽  
Peter Chalk ◽  
Ken Fisher ◽  
Poppy Pickard
Author(s):  
Rubí Estela Morales-Salas ◽  
Daniel Montes-Ponce

A virtual learning environment is conceived as an interaction space that ease the realization of mediated activities by technology, in this case the internet; besides using multimedia materials, learning objects, social networks, among others; which have changed imminently the traditional education. In this article an instrument is proposed in a checklist format, to evaluate any platform that has interaction spaces such as a Virtual Learning Environment, in this case responding to four spaces or general indicators: information Space, Mediation / Interaction Space, Instructional Design Space and Exhibition Space. Criteria are used according to the interactions and activities carried out by the consultant and virtual student. These, in turn, come up from the analysis and interaction of the advisers achieved in the discussion forums and portfolio activities through collaborative work. It was situated as a qualitative research, with a descriptive nature since it is not limited to data collection only, but also it refers and analyzes the interaction of the advisers achieved in the discussion forums and portfolio activities through the collaborative work of the workshop course "Virtual Learning Environments" developed in a virtual learning environment.


Author(s):  
Jintavee Khlaisang ◽  
Kemmanat Mingsiritham

The study aims to design and develop a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) system to enhance the communication and collaboration skills of higher education learners in the ASEAN cultural community. The system was developed based on a literature review of ASEAN to identity its educational goals for 2015, as well as the subjects of open learning, VLE, active learning, activity based learning, ASEAN cultural community, and collaboration and communication skills in 21st century. The results of the literature review were developed into a questionnaire for 400 higher education instructors. The survey results were then tabulated using G* Power and were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to find the core elements to be developed to be an appropriate VLE system. The resulting system was tested using a sample group of 30 volunteer undergraduate students from 5 ASEAN member countries. Data analysis using t-test dependent indicated that there was statistical difference between pre and post self-assessment scores of the 21st century skills in communication and collaboration at a 0.05 level of significance. The result was consistent with the results of behavior and trace observations and the quality of project assignments produced using the system. The system developed consisted of four elements was approved by experts in the education field.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caudia Wascher ◽  
Isobel Gowers ◽  
Matt East

Learning analytics, referring to the collection and analysis of data regarding the progress of learners, allows higher education institutions and individual academics to make data driven decisions regarding their teaching approaches and support they are providing. Further, they provide students with an opportunity to take control of their own learning, as they are gaining a better understanding of their own performance and can make informed decisions about their own learning progress. In early 2020 a global pandemic forced higher education institutions worldwide to quickly move teaching online. We argue that under these circumstances, detailed learning analytics provide a unique opportunity to understand student behaviour and support individual learning. We present a case study analysing engagement metrics and their relationship to student attainment in four courses in the area of behavioural biology, over a time period of two years pre-pandemic. Multiple sources of student engagement in the physical (attendance at lectures) and virtual space (access and engagement with online learning resources) were used. Our results show that grades of students were significantly affected by type of assignment, with grades being lower in exams compared to other types of assignment. Grades were not significantly affected by level of studies, gender and country of origin (UK versus non-UK). With regards to engagement metrics, grades significantly increased with percentage of attendance in class, percentage of resources accessed on Canvas and library access. Students accessed lecture notes longer compared to other resources. Physical attendance in class over all courses and levels of studies averaged at 55 %. Online, students accessed on average only 32 % of resources provided in the virtual learning environment. Students accessed the majority of the courses in the same week when materials were discussed in class compared to the weeks before and after. Our results show that both engagement with materials in the virtual learning environment and attendance in class are positively correlated with student achievement. We cannot make any inferences about the causality of this effect and it is likely that better students in general are more engaged. Our project provides detailed in-depth insight into student behaviour and reveals that students overall do not engage with all materials provided, resulting in an incomplete learning experience. We suggest that detailed data on engagement of students with individual resources can be used to better understand and shape individual learning experiences of students.


Author(s):  
Fredrik Paulsson ◽  
Mikael Berglund

A general SOA framework for Virtual Learning Environments, based on the VWE Learning Object Taxonomy, is suggested in this chapter. Five basic and general services are suggested for implementation of modular Virtual Learning Environments. The design of the service framework was tested by implementation in two prototypes, using two different approaches where a Java-RMI based implementation was compared to a Web Service (SOAP) based implementation. By implementing the VWE Learning Object Taxonomy and the VWE SOA framework, the prototypes showed that a level of modularity, similar to the level of modularity of Learning Objects, could be achieved for the Virtual Learning Environment as well. Using the VWE Learning Object Taxonomy, this was accomplished by including the learning content and the Virtual Learning Environment into the same conceptual space. The comparison of the prototypes showed that the Web Service approach was preferred in favor of the Java-RMI approach. This was mainly due to platform neutrality and the use of the http-protocol. The study was supplemented by an analysis of the two approaches in relation to a third, REST-based approach.


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