Virtual Learning Environments in Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
An LTSN-GEES one-day conference
Date: Tuesday November 18th 2003
Venue: Hornton Grange, University of Birmingham
Cost: free
Contents
- Why is this event important?
- Who should attend?
- How will you benefit from attending?
- Programme - including PowerPoint presentations from the day
- Contact masanders@plymouth.ac.uk - any questions regarding the event etc
Why is this event important?
Virtual learning environments (VLEs) are now widely used by Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) lecturers to support learning, teaching and assessment. Their increased usage presents both opportunities and challenges. The aim of this conference is to help practitioners understand better these learning environments and will bring together a number of GEES colleagues who are using these systems. This event will provide an opportunity for members of the GEES community to show-case new as well as established practices in the integration of VLEs in learning, teaching and assessment. It will also provide opportunities for delegates to discuss issues of common concern and share good practice.
Who should attend?
Anyone with an interest in using VLEs for learning, teaching and assessment in the GEES disciplines.
How will you benefit from attending?
By attending this event delegates will be given the opportunity to:
- Share practice on the varied ways in which VLEs may be used in learning, teaching and assessment in the GEES disciplines;
- Participate in a workshop on e-learning activities
- Discuss issues of common concern in using VLEs and identify ways of addressing them;
- Network with other GEES colleagues using the same VLE system as themselves;
- Become involved (if they so wish) in a VLE "community of practice" for sharing ideas and experiences in the GEES disciplines.
This event will seek to:
- Explore the possibility of setting up a community of practice focusing on VLEs in the GEES disciplines;
- Provide material for the production of a guide to using VLEs in the GEES disciplines;
- Identify case studies of good practice for the LTSN-GEES Resource Database.
Programme
PowerPoint presentations from the event are available below - If you require a Powerpoint presentation in another format please contact Mike Sanders
10:00-10:30 Registration and coffee
10:30-10:35 Introduction to the event
10:35-11:10 Keynote (Kathy Wiles - Senior Adviser for e-learning and virtual learning environments at the LTSN Generic Centre) - VLEs- being a strategic practitioner
11:15-12:15 Parallel Session 1
Room A
- Steve Fletcher (Southampton Institute) - Integrating a VLE into classroom teaching: A virtual fieldtrip to the Cromarty Firth
- Julia McMorrow (Univeristy of Manchester) - VLEs for fieldwork preparation, assessment and evaluation: the Dark Peak website, WebCT quizzes and surveys
- Sharon Gedye (University of Plymouth) - Going on-line: Lessons in blended learning and motivating engagement through assessment
Room B
- Juliette Pavey (University of Durham) - The use of role play and VLEs in teaching Environmental Management
- Glynn Skerrat (Staffordshire University) - Development and Delivery of Off-Campus Web-based Postgraduate Environmental/Sustainability Distance Learning Awards
- Elisabeth Skinner (University of Gloucestershire) - Using a VLE to create a community of learners studying people and place
12:15-13:15 Lunch and informal networking
13:15-13:55 Session 2
Room A
- Tom Browne (University of Sussex) - Teaching GIS using a VLE - local experiences within a generic institutional and national context
- John Hunt and David Milan (University of Gloucestershire) - Enhancement
of active learning: the role of a VLEs in developing student engagment prior
to fieldwork
14:00-15:45 Workshop - e-learning activities (Stephen Brown - Professor of Learning Technologies, De Montfort University)
15:45-16:15 Plenary: Creating a community of practice? What next?
4:15 Close and Tea