The VLE @ GSA: an introduction

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Today’s session:

The VLE at GSA. User roles A quick tour Designing your course – things to consider. Adding content. Communicating – announcements and emails. Managing groups.

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The VLE at GSA:

Virtual Learning Environment.

Supports studio/ face-to-face learning and teaching.

Every course at GSA has a presence on the VLE (‘course’).

Used in different ways: repository, portal, communication...

Remote access 24/7.

Need GSA network username and password.

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A quick tour:

Landing page: My VLE, Course catalogue.

Enrolments, announcements, calendar.

Customisable: what items visible, colour scheme, text size,

etc.

Multiple communication tools.

Multiple ways to do things.

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User roles

StaffInstructor

Course BuilderTeaching Assistant

Add Access

StudentStudent

AccessStudent

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Designing your course

Plan your course on a bit of paper – what menu items will you need?

Make sure you give menu items a clear name. Organise information logically and intuitively. When adding items (documents, images, etc), make

sure the file name is clear with no spaces (e.g. term1plan.doc) and add a brief description.

Keep your content up-to-date. Consider appearance – colours are great but make sure

text can be read.

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Designing your course

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Designing your course

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Adding content

Possible to add a variety of media – documents, images, audio, video, links...

This can be done individually, but more effective to use Files >> in Control Panel.

You can then browse course resources and add items individually.

Remember to include a concise, intuitive file name and descriptive text.

At this point you can set also availability and track access.

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Adding content

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Adding content

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Adding content

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Module pages

Module pages allow your users to access quick links and updates in one place.

Create a module page by adding a new menu item ( click the + at the top navigation menu). Give it a meaningful name, and it will appear in the menu.

Click the link and you will be able to add modules such as My Tasks, My Calendar and My announcements.

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Module pages

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Module pages

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Communication

There are a number of ways to communicate including announcements and emails.

Announcements will keep those enrolled on your course up to date. You can control when they are available and for how long. They will also be emailed to all student users.

Emails can be sent to individuals or groups.

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Communication

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Communication

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Communication

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Groups

Groups are a useful way to contact specific VLE users about certain topics, for example a tutorial group within a larger class or electives.

Students can self-enrol, or can be added by the course instructor.

As course instructor, you can control which areas you give students access to, and check which users are enrolled.

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Groups

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Groups

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Summary

Multiple ways to do things in VLE – if you forget one, there’ll be another.

Make sure there’s a purpose to your course, design and content.

Be clear where possible in organisation, naming, etc. Lots of resources in VLE Help course or please contact

me: v.boyd@gsa.ac.uk

The VLE at GSA: an introduction