Where C21st educators connect

VLE?

How do you use yours?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Stuart Brady on October 5, 2010 at 21:40

We use uniservity. It was basically a blank page when we first began. We spent a bit of time coming up with a structure for all stakeholders to use. We have many areas including the teaching zone ( for staff paperwork), a learning zone ( for children's learning areas by year group with weblinks and forums), we have a parents zone with latest information and school prospectus, we have a governor zone with roles and responsibilities, latest policies and meeting dates.

On the home page there is access to my blog, news, and the acceptable use policy that you agree to by entering the vle.

It has been a structured approach but has spread across school, with small projects sprouting up! We ensured that programmes like the x factor had it's own forum that got kids on and discussing at weekends and this encouraged parents too.

Over 220,000 hits in 18 months shows we must being something right!

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Permalink Reply by Barbara Thompson on November 22, 2010 at 20:56

How long did this take? I am really struggling with getting ours anywhere near your level - at the moment year 6 use it for ICT and that's about it, and that's because I teach them and I have had time to investigate it. Is your school primary or secondary?

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Permalink Reply by Stuart Brady on November 22, 2010 at 22:01

We are a primary school.

We started small with a couple of online projects and built it up. Time was planned into staff meetings and inset days for all staff to learn and contribute to it.

Use something like the x factor to get your children using the forums more frequently. Use this excitement to get them on more. What about a Santa hunt around the site in December ?

The senior leadership team must be involved and see its possibilities. I am the headteacher so I can push its use and give time. If you are on slt it will be easier than if you are fighting against the tide!

We have been going for 18 or so months now. All subjects have a presence and so does the governing body.

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Permalink Reply by D KC on December 4, 2010 at 15:08

For me the biggest potential of a VLE is to make the 14-19 agenda work. Let me explain this rather woolly statement:
At the moment the school holds all the data on a student. As soon as a school student goes to college part time, on extended work experience or to one of the zillions of "alternative providers" we loose the plot. No one knows the students levels, behaviour profile, specific needs and so forth - except the school. Not good for the student. If we can put the VLE at the centre of this then we might just stand a cat in hell's chance of a co-ordinated educational experience for the student.
I would encourage all secondary schools to relook at using the VLE with everyone who works with students (the above plus social workers, YOT, Connexions etc) so education is really child centred. Sure we have child protection and data protection to think about so you have to watch your "permissions" but its not difficult with most VLEs.