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The classroom should be an energetic and interactive environment where teachers prepare students to participate in a rapidly changing world. As a teacher, I see it as my role to guide students to be more autonomous in their learning.
The business studies course I am in charge of is classified as a vocational subject. Using a virtual learning environment (VLE) in this subject allows students to have control over their learning pace, encouraging independent learning and differentiation. Opportunities are created for students to develop industry-standard skills.
Rationale
A VLE is a software program that can be used to deliver online and flexible learning. It is time consuming to create your own internet resources, and making them stimulating, appealing, easy to use and educationally sound requires considerable expertise. However, a VLE allows teachers to create resources quickly and without the need to develop technical skills.
The aim of a VLE is to enable interactions between learners and teachers over the internet within a controlled and monitored educational environment. A VLE provides:
* communication tools (e-mail, bulletin board, chat room)
* collaboration tools (online forums, file-sharing, diaries)
* content creation tools
* access to curriculum resources.
Teachers are well supported using a VLE as you can have everything accessible online. In particular, teachers can share resources online. Teachers can draw on tried-and-tested resources, and share their own materials with other staff.
Quality of learning should be enhanced by a VLE, as it provides students with greater opportunities for teacher communication via discussion boardsand easy access to all lesson resources. This provides an equal environment where students can participate in discussions and extends learning and collaboration outside the walls of the classroom. The novelty of chat and bulletin board communication with teachers hopefully will attract students' interest and allow for more critical thinking and contribution from students who are usually shy in the classroom.
The use of a VLE also encourages students to find, explore, analyse, exchange and present information responsibly and creatively. Increased capability in the use of the internet promotes initiative and independent learning, helping students make judgments about when and where to use the information gathered to best effect.
I try to use the VLE to make learning more interactive. Sign posting students...