VLEs, or Virtual Learning Environments, should be commonplace within schools within the next few years. Several UK schools are ahead of the curve and have been working with these learning platforms for some years. Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale, in Cumbria uses its VLE across the curriculum. This programme gives a clear demonstration of the advantages and some of the pitfalls of VLEs. We see how online posting and messaging can be used to enhance learning and promote discussion in English; how the system can be used to administer tests in physics; how it can take some of the administration out of Food Technology and how it can be seen to make reading 'cool' for boys during a reading week initiative. Teachers talk about how the opportunities a VLE offers appeal to pupils to whom instant messaging and social networking are second nature and about how a VLE can make learning an 'anytime, anywhere' experience.

Video Series: Secondary ICT Management
Release Date 2006