The VLEs4VET project and its outcomes A virtual learning environment or VLE is an online system of information and communication technologies designed to support teaching and learning in an educational setting.

Background 2006 Education Plan 2006 Education Plan –Partnerships – international desk –Innovative and creative responses to the learning needs of young people and adults –Enhance and improve training opportunities for staff National Policy Document National Policy Document –National Development Plan –2011 Programme for Government –Smart Schools = Smart Economy (2009) DES Integration of ICT across education policy

Projects - Leonardo A Framework to support teachers acquisition of ICT’s in teaching and learning – eTQF – diagnostic tool, eTeach community of practice A Framework to support teachers acquisition of ICT’s in teaching and learning – eTQF – diagnostic tool, eTeach community of practice A quality standards framework for ICT – which sets out quality standards for effective provision using ICT in teaching and learning. A quality standards framework for ICT – which sets out quality standards for effective provision using ICT in teaching and learning.

VLE4 VET Carry out a survey of education organisations in Europe to determine their experiences and preferences regarding Learning Platforms/VLEs Carry out a survey of education organisations in Europe to determine their experiences and preferences regarding Learning Platforms/VLEs Advise and support CDVEC in selecting an organisation wide VLE solution Advise and support CDVEC in selecting an organisation wide VLE solution Share findings and experiences with the VET sector in Ireland and in EU Share findings and experiences with the VET sector in Ireland and in EU

Partners FIT FIT EFODL – Dr Coen Free EFODL – Dr Coen Free –Koning Willem 1 College Netherlands –FOR.Com (Italy) –City College Norwich (UK) Oscail – National Distance Education Centre in DCU advisory support Oscail – National Distance Education Centre in DCU advisory support NCTE NCTE H2 Learning H2 Learning

Recommendations Understand and identify organisational needs by following a structured and rigorous needs analysis prior to Platform selection and implementation Understand and identify organisational needs by following a structured and rigorous needs analysis prior to Platform selection and implementation Establish the educational goals that the organisation wishes to achieve with the VLE and ensure that these are in line with the overall mission of the organisation Establish the educational goals that the organisation wishes to achieve with the VLE and ensure that these are in line with the overall mission of the organisation

Recommendations Define the strategy for VLE selection and outline a detailed Action Plan for Platform implementation Define the strategy for VLE selection and outline a detailed Action Plan for Platform implementation Identify the system that works best for the organisation Identify the system that works best for the organisation Understand how to motivate teachers and involve them in the VLE implementation from the outset. Find ‘quick wins’ Understand how to motivate teachers and involve them in the VLE implementation from the outset. Find ‘quick wins’

Recommendations Focus on pedagogy and how the VLE can enhance learning delivery and improve students’ learning experiences Focus on pedagogy and how the VLE can enhance learning delivery and improve students’ learning experiences Train a small number of teachers to become VLE champions. These individuals will eventually become mentors and trainers to the rest of the teaching team Train a small number of teachers to become VLE champions. These individuals will eventually become mentors and trainers to the rest of the teaching team

Where are we now? Completed the project and noted its findings Completed the project and noted its findings Completed our needs analysis Completed our needs analysis Appointed project manager Appointed project manager Promoted the VLE with Principals Promoted the VLE with Principals Selected Moodle and appointed a provider Selected Moodle and appointed a provider Developed a corporate design Developed a corporate design Had a server built Had a server built Migrating and developing new sites in our schools and colleges – March 2012 Migrating and developing new sites in our schools and colleges – March 2012 Writing next Education Plan Writing next Education Plan

Where are we now – in schools Developing VLE implementation teams in each school/college Developing VLE implementation teams in each school/college Initial design meeting Initial design meeting Draft plan for VLE roll out Draft plan for VLE roll out Identifying initial course/s as exemplars Identifying initial course/s as exemplars

CPD support Provided by CDU Provided by CDU CPD link person CPD link person In-school CPD In-school CPD Collective workshops Collective workshops VLE4VET Materials VLE4VET Materials