Learning Platforms

On November 27, 2007 by admin

By spring 2008 the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) expects learners to have access to a personal online learning space. Local authorities has been given the responsibility (and the funding) for ensuring that this target is met.

By March 2010 all schools will be using a learning platform which integrates with the school information management system.

In February 2007 the Yorkshire and Humber Grid for Learning Foundation (YHGfL) commissioned Cleveratom to research the use of VLE’s in schools within their region (12 local authorities) and report the findings in the form of a Book and DVD. This was distributed to a further all schools within the region during May 2007 YHGfL and is called ‘Virtually There: Learning Platform Evaluation’ (ISBN 978-0-9556006-0-9).

In the book Professor Stephen Heppell wrote in the foreword, Learning is breaking out of the narrow boxes that it was trapped in during the 20th century; teachers’ professionalism, reflection and ingenuity are leading learning to places that genuinely excite this new generation of connected young school students - and their teachers too. VLEs are helping to make sure that their learning is not confined to a particular building, or restricted to any single location or moment.

For many schools, this is an exciting time where possibilities for developing virtual learning are everywhere. For others, a new ‘minefield’ has just appeared. In either case, we can help you better understand what a VLE is and how you might use it, explain how they work in practice and explore how you can really make them have apositive impact on teaching and learning. We will assist schools in adopting the right approach to implementing a solution for their particular setting.

We will also work with you to embed the VLE into your improvement planning and review cycles, support the team responsible for implementation by helping them avoid the pitfalls and ensure you get value for money from the approach that you adopt.

We do not sell or promote a particular VLE and have no tie to any particular product or supplier. We use our knowledge of the market and the systems and their various advantages and disadvantages, but most importantly we work with our clients to understand what their needs are and how they can be best met.