Review of Debate over PLE or VLE/LMS with Sclater and Weller – OU
Tuesday, 14 Jul 2015, 14:17
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Sclater:
• That PLE's offer free, easy to use and innovative tools. The best tools available at that time
• Can have a default system (such as a VLE) but with the flexibility for
learners to use their own preferred tool (E.g. not using the VLE blog
but using an external blog)
• Gives freedom and empowerments to the learner
• LMS are perceived as too managed and not giving the personalisation to the learning Weller:
• Using features outside of a VLE can cause accessibility and equality issues
• Using tools on the VLE ensures a robust, supported toolkit
• Use of teaching experience to filter the tools functionality to simplify use for learners
• There may be less choice but the functionality is assured
• The VLE tools are selected based upon what is required
My own experiences lean more to Sclater's stance in this debate. I have
found tools on moodle (VLE) such as the Wiki or the Quiz to be more
complex and of lower production value or poorer learning experience,
than open source tools which can then be provided as a link on the VLE. I
therefore use the VLE as the default base but then signpost out to
tools and apps that meet the need best.
The toolkit that can be selected is far broader than a limited tool-kit within a VLE/LMS.
Additionally, eLearning is not about a VLE. A VLE can coordinate and/or
structure eLearning into a functional form. If we use a VLE in its
isolation we do not support the learners' ability in developing their
own personal learning network and ability to search, filter and decipher
suitable sources of information.
By engaging and embracing the best of open learning and focus more on
the PLE rather than the VLE, we will support learners in a sustainable
learning process that will work far beyond the boundaries of a course
when access to the VLE may then become unavailable.
Additionally, as educationalists we have professionalism and experience
throughout our sector, but we are all learners, learning all the time
and from each other in formal and informal settings. This has been
enhanced through Web 2.0 where everyone can be both learner and teacher.
We may think we know what is required to benefit from a learning course
or subject, but everyday something new happens and by keeping an
outward facing, open and accessible process to teaching and learning we
can make the best of todays' and tomorrows' developments.
Review of Debate over PLE or VLE/LMS with Sclater and Weller – OU
Sclater:
• That PLE's offer free, easy to use and innovative tools. The best tools available at that time
• Can have a default system (such as a VLE) but with the flexibility for learners to use their own preferred tool (E.g. not using the VLE blog but using an external blog)
• Gives freedom and empowerments to the learner
• LMS are perceived as too managed and not giving the personalisation to the learning
Weller:
• Using features outside of a VLE can cause accessibility and equality issues
• Using tools on the VLE ensures a robust, supported toolkit
• Use of teaching experience to filter the tools functionality to simplify use for learners
• There may be less choice but the functionality is assured
• The VLE tools are selected based upon what is required
My own experiences lean more to Sclater's stance in this debate. I have found tools on moodle (VLE) such as the Wiki or the Quiz to be more complex and of lower production value or poorer learning experience, than open source tools which can then be provided as a link on the VLE. I therefore use the VLE as the default base but then signpost out to tools and apps that meet the need best.
The toolkit that can be selected is far broader than a limited tool-kit within a VLE/LMS.
Additionally, eLearning is not about a VLE. A VLE can coordinate and/or structure eLearning into a functional form. If we use a VLE in its isolation we do not support the learners' ability in developing their own personal learning network and ability to search, filter and decipher suitable sources of information.
By engaging and embracing the best of open learning and focus more on the PLE rather than the VLE, we will support learners in a sustainable learning process that will work far beyond the boundaries of a course when access to the VLE may then become unavailable.
Additionally, as educationalists we have professionalism and experience throughout our sector, but we are all learners, learning all the time and from each other in formal and informal settings. This has been enhanced through Web 2.0 where everyone can be both learner and teacher. We may think we know what is required to benefit from a learning course or subject, but everyday something new happens and by keeping an outward facing, open and accessible process to teaching and learning we can make the best of todays' and tomorrows' developments.