Generic issues for new teachers - Effective use of a VLE

This unit will help new and  trainee teachers to: 

  • Understand the significance of emerging new technologies including a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and Learning Platform (LP) and the potential uses of such technologies in delivering Business Education
  • Consider the benefits of using a VLE to enhance teaching and learning in the Business and Economics classroom
  • Examine a number of practical applications of a VLE with a particular emphasis on the use of ‘blogs’ and ‘wikis’

There is an old adage that the one certainty in life is change and this is certainly true in relation to the use of technology in the twenty-first century workplace. Today’s learners will undoubtedly need to enter employment as competent users of a wide range of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) and it is clearly vital that their classroom teachers are prepared to embrace the introduction of new technological developments.

Alongside equipping learners with the basic skills that they will require for the workplace, the use of new technologies has the potential to enhance learning both within and outside of the classroom environment. For trainee teachers in partiuclarly, the Standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) require them  to ‘know how to use skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT to support their teaching and wider professional activities’ (Q17) and to ‘design opportunities for learners to develop their literacy, numeracy and ICT skills (Q23) (QTS Standards Guidance, Training and Development Agency for Schools).

This article explores the emergence of the Virtual Learning Environment (typically abbreviated to VLE) and look at how a VLE can be used effectively to enhance teaching and learning within the Business and Economics classroom. It explores current developments and looks at the potential for introducing new teaching methods, with a particular focus on the use of ‘blogs’, and ‘wikis’ in Business Education contexts. 

The full article, which can be downloaded from the column on the right, is in a pdf format where most of hte links to websites referenced in that article are active.