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FLEXIBLE & DISTRIBUTED LEARNING

Page Content

This section addresses the specific area of Flexible and Distributed Learning (FDL), which covers blended, online and distance learning. It focuses mainly on blended learning and the effective use of VLEs (WebCT and the new VLE) and addresses some of the issues that arise when developing Web content. It also introduces emerging technologies for use in education, and will eventually comprise much more documentation on this topic.

Flipchart reading What do you like best about e learning

Blended Learning

What is Blended Learning?

Considerations for Flexible & Distance Learning is a Powerpoint presentation explaining what is meant by the term Blended Learning; and providing a rationale for including an online element in a course or module to complement traditional face to face teaching.

University Virtual Learning Environment (VLE): resources

Training materials and support for the new VLE are now available at Anglia Learning and Teaching's Training and Support Site (VLE50). This is currently under development but it does contain a large number of user guides and tutorials covering most of the available 'tools'. All staff can now log into the site to access information on the new VLE and download training materials (Novell login required). Please note that the site will eventually feature examples of good practice in use of the VLE.

WebCT: resources

This online resource is a series of links to WebCT user guides for course designers, teaching assistants and administrators that includes, for example: advice on course design, uploading content, using communication tools, and backing up a course. You can log into your WebCT account here

Designing online courses - what you should know

Accessibility

Staff designing courses in WebCT or the new VLE need to anticipate and address issues faced by all students. The booklet Designing accessible courses in WebCT introduces accessibility issues to course designers, and provides guidelines on how these issues can be addressed. Disabled students and delivery of learning support material through a VLE is a document produced by Durham University and Bournemouth University [Boyd, V.A. 2005] describing the real-life experiences of disabled students using their University VLE. Please also refer to our Equality and Diversity section that addresses accessibility issues in more detail.

Content: writing and publishing for the Web

INSPIRE has created a number of useful guides on how to write and publish materials for the Web. Guidelines for writing for the web is a short document that gives fundamental advice for all when writing for online publication. The issue of copyright is specifically addressed in our introductory guide Copyright Toolkit; and those who are considering the use of multimedia in their online teaching will find an overview of terms in the document Audio and Video on the Web.

Effective Use of VLEs

JISC infoNet has produced an infoKit entitled Effective Use of Virtual Learning Environments that "seeks to provide an online resource for all those involved in the deployment of a VLE. The infoKit may be used individually by a tutor or by a staff developer who is supporting tutors to get online through their institution's VLE."

Emerging Technologies to Support FDL

Survey of Technology Enhanced Learning

The TEL Survey 2010 [produced by the UCISA Academic Support Group in association with JISC] reviews the technology in use and the drivers behind the adoption of technology enhanced learning in institutions.

Enhancing learning and teaching through technology

Effective Practice in a Digital Age (.pdf) [JISC 2009] is described as "a guide for those who seek to understand better how to integrate technology into their teaching". Its focus is on blended delivery, aimed at students either undertaking distance learning or involved in self-directed collaborative learning.

New technologies: educational examples

This document is a presentation that INSPIRE staff gave to Anglia Ruskin University Library on New technologies in use in education (.ppt). These include World of Warcraft, Second Life, Web 2.0, mobile learning and more!

Internet Search Tips

The following tutorials offer guidance on how to use the Internet more effectively. Internet Detective is a free online tutorial "designed to help students develop the critical thinking required for their Internet research", produced by the University of Bristol. Intute Virtual Training Suite is a series of free tutorials for developing Internet research skills for university studies, "written and reviewed by a national team of lecturers and librarians from universities across the UK". A general guide to Evaluating Internet Resources can be accessed from the Teacher Tap website.