1. The VLE vs. PLE debate
Gráinne Conole, University of Leicester
PLE Conference, Aveiro
13th July 2012
@gconole, #pleconf

2. Outline
• E-Pedagogies
• The essence of good learning
• The VLE/PLE continuum
• The problem of lack of uptake
• Using the VLE as a Trojan
horse
• The benefits of VLEs
• A VLE/PLE comparison
• Crystal gazing

3. (Un)keynote - the process
• Questions, prompts on Twitter and fb
• Experts invited to provide short videos
• Space to aggregate resources and for
discussion on Cloudworks

4. Mayes & De Freitas, 2004
Pedagogies of e-learning Conole 2010
E-training Inquiry learning
Drill & practice Resource-based
Associative Constructivist
Focus on individual Building on prior
Learning through knowledge
association and Task-orientated
reinforcement
A
Situative Connectivist
Learning through Learning in a
social interaction networked
Learning in context environment Reflective &
Experiential, Prob
lem-based Role dialogic learning,
play Personalised
learning

5. What is the essence of learning?

6. Essence of learning
Reflective Dialogic
Authentic Applied

7. A focus on pedagogy
 We are all potential
teachers and learners
 We learn well through the
act of creating
 We learn by observing the
activities of our peers
 By understanding the
contexts of others, we can
teach in more
transformative ways
 A learning environment
needs to be flexible
Dougiamas, Athens, 2nd October 2010

8. PLE
MOOCs Accredited
courses +
Informal Formal
Study guides Accredited
& resources courses
VLE

9. Tools
Pedagogy Context

10. The problem
Social and
participatory media
offer new ways to
communicate and
collaborate Not fully exploited
Wealth of free Replicating bad pedagogy
resources and tools
Lack of time and skills

11. The solution
Using the VLE as a Trojan
horse
New approaches to design for
learning:
Conceptual design views
Frameworks
Workshops
Social media

12. Using the VLE as a Trojan horse
• VLE as a safe nursery slope
• Help to:
– Shift focus from content to
activities
– Promote reflection and
collaboration
– Create pedagogically effective
learning pathways

13. Blackboard audit
• Data
– Online survey (260 returns)
– Departmental visits
• Key findings
– Used as content repository
and administration
– Pockets of innovation
– More support needed on
effective design strategies
– Tension between teaching
and research
– Usability issue

14. Blackboard+ at Leicester
BB plus Google+
Maths video-lets
Prof-casts
History conundrum Voicethread

15. Benefits
• Guided learning pathway
• Structured and timed
• Formal accreditation
• A cohort of peers
• Tutor support
• Consistent interface
• Good accessibility
• Management buy-in
• Back end monitoring tool
• Databanks of good practice

16. MSc in Learning Innovation
Dissertation
Case Studies of Innovation
Research Design and Methods
Learning Design
Technology-Enhanced Learning

17. A comparison….
• Formal course in VLE
cf. informal MOOC
• Questions
– Tools used
– Learners’ perceptions
– Challenges
– Design issues
Learning Design MOOC

18. Crystal gazing
• Blurring of boundaries
• Mix of institutional and
cloud-based tools
• Spectrum of formal and
informal offerings
• More sophisticated
learning analytics tools
• Learning design tools to
guide practice