Exploring the 'Virtual' dimension in PGCE Learning Environments:

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Exploring the 'Virtual' dimension in PGCE
Learning Environments

• How use of e-learning can promote reflection,
  discussion and sharing of best practice amongst
  trainees and their mentors
• Sandra Barton Katherine Raithby

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Background

• Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment
• (VLE) www.blackboard.com
• Used for off campus EdD students
• Creating a virtual research community
• discussion
• reflection
• intellectual and moral support network
• overcome limitations of time and geography

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Distance learning tool for off-campus EdD
students
Blended approach for on-campus community
Extension of the community to include
non-University partners
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Blending the virtual
Subject Didactics
Education Professional Studies
Fast Track Training Programme
Webshare and discussion forum following lecture
fortnightly seminar Assessed e-portfolio
Webshare and discussion forum following lecture
fortnightly seminar E-portfolio Professional
Tutor access
Subject groups for MFL and Science History
group assignment
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Why?

• Extend the successful face to face professional
  learning community established in university
  sessions
• Provide the additional time and vehicle for
• Counter isolation during Block placement
• Extend ICT skills base of trainees

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MFL e-learning site
Discussion Boards
Course Documentation folders on key topics
lecture notes powerpoint presentations web links
to documents pdf files course proformae etc.
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Discussion Boards
Examining issues in MFL -discussion-
Reflections on -reflection-
Top Tips! -sharing best practice-
e.g. block practices reflective diary format at
key transition points framework for meeting
relevant QTS standards
resource sharing folders starters and Plenaries
internet evaluations ICT ideas games (a real
winner!) classroom management miscellaneous
bright ideas!
blend own views with practices in schools
diversity of approach broader base than local
context reporting school-based tasks
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Does it work? Trainee comments

• opportunities for reflection on educational
  issues and personal development
• opportunities to address the Standards for QTS
  and build up final Portfolio
• greater exposure to the experiences of colleagues
• using the reflections of others as a catalyst for
  ones own
• time to reflect on issues and themes discussed in
  University sessions and observed in Homeschools
• opportunities to put issues in context and
  consider how ones own practice is impacted
  before commenting.
• extension of class time, discussions and
  opportunities for student contributions.
• group reassurance, overcoming feeling of
  isolation during Block practice
• convenience of access offsite and the immediacy
  of sharing experiences as they occur
• brilliant timesaving ideas when lesson planning

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Comments from week 6

• Sometimes I dont realise what my opinions are
  until I write them on Blackboard
• I was REALLY reluctant to use BB at first as I
  have never studied in this way before. I still
  prefer to put pen to paper but am learning to use
  more ICT and drag myself into the 21st century.

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Issues and implicationswithin MFL and EPS strands

• University provision of VLE
• Staff training
• Management of effective forum
• Trainee internet access off campus
• Time commitment (staff and trainees)
• Password protected therefore closed community

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Extending the community
MFL website resource
EPS Professional Tutor Community
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MFL Aims

• the creation of a website MFL resource to
  promote, facilitate and explore the use of ICT in
  MFL teaching.
• to develop compensatory strategies (HMI) for
  trainees in schools with limited access to ICT
  facilities
• to move from closed e-community to include all
  interested partners
• to foster greater competence and confidence in
  and enhanced understanding (practice and theory)
  of use of ICT in MFL teaching and learning
  through joint initiative

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MFL Methodology

• survey of needs
• in school via mentor group discussions
• from trainees
• TTA funding for equipment and training
• Dreamweaver training for trainees
• collection of materials
• trialling with schools, trainees, mentors
• housed on University of Bath PGCE website
  (www.bath.ac.uk/education)

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MFL website
Teachers Area
Pupils Gallery
Web links and ICT resources
pupils submit ICT work for display
searchable by Key Stage, topic and
language websites for interactive use, for
research websites for MFL teaching key sites
plus ideas for use website evaluations
interactive worksheets presentations,
webquests
links to ICT PoS NC links to other relevant
sites research from BECTA etc reviews of new
publications interactive whiteboards managing
the ICT classroom message board / e-mail group
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EPS Aims

• to increase the potential of BB to become a more
  interactive online learning facility by including
  partner schools
• to extend and develop the ways we acquire breadth
  of contextualised knowledge of educational issues
  by sharing best practice across the partnership
• to facilitate closer integration of school and
  university input within EPS programme

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EPS Methodology (1)

• TTA funding for equipment and training
• enrol and train PTs in use of VLE
• set up pilot group of cluster of schools led by
  PT
• identify theme to be addressed through series of
  lectures
• trainees and PT reflect on and discuss issue
  within own school and others in the cluster
• PTs act as e-moderators (contributing and
  monitoring)
• Summary paper from trainees as result of
  reflections and discussions posted

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EPS Methodology (2)

• videoing and editing EPS lectures for viewing on
  BB by PTs and trainees in schools
• collection of video materials to illustrate
  issues relating to classroom practice e.g.
  behaviour management (mentor/trainee practice in
  situ)
• links from lecture notes
• more dynamic resource allowing all trainees and
  schools to benefit from best practice across the
  whole partnership

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Exploring the 'Virtual' dimension in PGCE
Learning Environments

• Useful information about VLEs is available at
  http//www.bath.ac.uk/e-learning/news
• Specific information on Blackboard
  http//www.bath.ac.uk/e-learning/blackboard.htm