Step 5: Creating the Course - Integrating Activities, Content Resources and Tools
Once you have planned your learning activities using a storyboard, you can construct the course by linking these activities within the VLE. Tutors quote lack of time as a major obstacle to course implementation, so the reuse of existing resources, outlined in the following section, is an important strategy to employ. Most VLE systems are relatively simple to use, allowing the easy creation of activities by using an online form to upload content and activities.
For example, with WebCT Vista you can upload activities and content resources in a variety of formats (including pdf, doc, rtf, gif, jpg etc) using a 'browse' facility. The following figure (used with kind permission from WebCT) shows how to move content files from your computer to the Vista - other VLEs have similar ways of performing this task. This VLE allows multiple files to be uploaded and added to the course page. WebCT Vista is based around a digital repository, or database where resources can be stored. Therefore uploaded files are automatically placed into a content store and can be reused anywhere else in the course:
Once the learning activities have been uploaded, the students need some way of collaborating. For example, if your students have read an article, you may ask them to discuss on debate issues through an online discussion forum. How this is achieved depends largely on the VLE. The next figure illustrates how specific learning activities might be linked to individual discussion threads within WebCT Vista. These discussion threads can be released to specific students or groups, since discussions can be set up around allocated student groups, grading settings and so on.
In most commonly used VLEs, discussion areas are usually set up by the tutor or a VLE administrator. This may limit the way students collaborate, though they may use chat or email instead. Next generation VLEs will allow students to have better control over their learning. For example, within WebCT Vista, students can decide on which groups or activities they would like to participate in and will receive confirmation of their choice. You, as tutor, can define these sign up sheets for students to self enrol into groups or activities. You can release activities or discussion threads to the students based upon the group they have signed up for. For example, you could set up a course where students receive a particular learning activity depending on which student group they are within, their role within the group or the previous activities, assessments or assignments they have completed.
The creation of a sign up sheet (used with kind permission from WebCT).
Confirmation to the student that he or she has signed up to set of activities (used with kind permission from WebCT).
Future VLEs are being developed that will allow students even greater flexibility in managing and sharing their own content within personal learning spaces.
Resources integrating face-to-face and online interactions:
Littlejohn, A.H. and Higgison, C. (2003), E-learning Guide for Teachers in Higher Education, Learning and Teaching Support Network Publications
http://www.ltsn.ac.uk/application.asp?app=resources.asp&process=full_record§ion=generic&id=323
