Virtual Learning Virtual Learning Network Network

CommunityCommunity

“Supports the concept of classrooms without walls, where students have the flexibility to connect with their classes 24/7”

A shared history' - Key EventsA shared history' - Key Events• Early 1990s The Correspondence School begins trialling

telecommunications technology• 1994 – Cantatech – audiographics classes• 2000 - KAWM• 2001 – OtagoNet, developing relationships with Tertiary & 3rd party

educational organisations• 2002 – initiation of Project Probe• 2002 – establishment of VLN (within TCS)• 2002 - MOE funding for VC bridge• 2003 – eLearning schools clusters mushroom nationally• 2004 – VLN moves to the MOE • 2006 – further clusters join the VLN• 2007 – further budget allocation for Cluster Leadership funding• 2008 – Primary schools participate in the VLN• 2010 - establishment of the 'VLN Community'• greater focus on blended learning, widening & diverse partnerships• 2011/16 - UFB rollout / managed national network ??

VLNVLN Community – Organisation Community – Organisation

Common Characteristics of eLearning Common Characteristics of eLearning  Clusters Clusters

• 'Self- organising' nature of development, driven from the 'grass roots',• Ad hoc funding has come from unsustainable sources (small &

emerging clusters more vulnerable),o Community Trustso ICTPDo Collaborative Innovations Fundingo EHSAS (Extending High Standards Across Schools)o eLCLF (eLearning Cluster Leadership Funding),

• Staffing – most follow contributed staffing 'reciprocal' model,• Similar goals & issues,• National support from the MoE VLN services.

VLN Secondary Schools 200212 schools sharing classes

VLN Statistics 2010Schools:268

Teachers:170 Classes:258

Enrolments:1526 (inl.Primary)

VLN Enrolments - A pattern of Growth

VLN – Key StatisticsVLN – Key StatisticsMarch 2011March 2011

• Video Conferencing: 16234 sessions, 5463 hours• Adobe Web Conferencing: 163 meeting rooms, 73 hours.• Asynchronous access:

o 20 MoE hosted Moodle sites o total 5145 unique visitorso approx 6000 hours totalo WestNet 800; EduCo 2783; WelCom 3,800 registered userso OtagoNet 2000+ Google Apps users 

4 P’s of Learning Online4 P’s of Learning Online

• Participation in:

oProjects(Virtual fieldtrips, collaborative learning, connecting with authors)

oProgrammes (NCEA, tertiary courses, Y 7 & 8 Languages, expert tuition)

oProfessional Learning(online PD, working with experts)

Projects

• Digital conversations• Connecting with

experts• Virtual field trips• Scholarship Mentoring

• Cluster based• National collaborations• VPLD

Professional Learning Opportunities

Cluster or Group of Schools

Participating in an online learning community requires commitment to a common vision and understanding:

• Moving away from traditional timetable based approach,• 24/7 learning,• Completion of work rather than attendance,• Flexibility to suit different learning styles,• Willingness to share resources (people and $).

Significant Shift in ThinkingSignificant Shift in Thinking

97% of Schools to Access UFB by 201697% of Schools to Access UFB by 2016

• Opportunity for schools to connect and collaborate via online learning communities.

• What does this mean for –o Teaching in (and outside) the classroom?o Professional learning?o School administration?o Home school relationships?o Student-led learning?

Benefits of Online Learning Benefits of Online Learning CommunitiesCommunities

• Maximises teaching resource and expertise,

• Wider choice of curriculum subjects,

• Flexibility - can personalise learning to suit individual learning styles and interests,

• Greater access to subject matter experts,

• More opportunity for learning outside the classroom and practical experiences eg virtual field trips,

• More opportunity for peer to peer mentoring and collaboration,

• Increased access to relevant and current learning resources,

• Greater professional learning opportunities for staff,

• Specialist staff retention.

Students:• Multiple entry

points• How to work

together

‘‘Blended’ learning (teacher-led)Blended’ learning (teacher-led)

The expert

Teacheror teachers• Availability• How to facilitate

Whānau and community

Learningcollection

Tertiary organisationsOther organisationsTe PapaCrown Ag research

‘‘Blended’ learningBlended’ learning- student-led- student-led Students create their own learning

environment

Invite the expert

Invite other students

“I am in control of my learning”

Invite whānau

Invite the teacher

Learningcollection

VLNS Collaborative Learning ToolsVLNS Collaborative Learning Tools

o Video/audio conferencingo ‘course’ booking/scheduling systemo Elgg group collaborationo Elgg Teacher and student led learning o Moodle (a learning management system or LMS), o Mahara (ePortfolio service) o LAMSo Tandberg Content Server (video streaming)o Adobe Connect web conferencing.

VLN siteVLN site1. VLN Communities: •Supports online Communities of Practice (closed or open )•More than 141 groups currently active. •To register : www.vln.school.nz/pg/groups/world/

VLN siteVLN site2. Learning Exchangehttp://pol.vln.school.nz/search •Coordinates all programmes and projects offered over VLN.

•Around 300 programmes offered each year including NCEA, primary languages, Te Papa, Tertiary etc

LAMS Kura ProjectLAMS Kura Project

LAMS Kura ProjectLAMS Kura Project

http://www.v7.breezeserver.co.nz/p13736586/

LAMS Kura ProjectLAMS Kura Project

ELLINZELLINZ • ELLINZ (ESOL) pilot demonstrates how students can help

other students develop English language skills in a virtual environment.

ELLINZELLINZ• Supporting environments

http://tiny.cc/vlnprimary 

VLN – Prim

ary

VLN – Prim

ary

Adobe ConnectAdobe Connect

Virtual Professional Learning Virtual Professional Learning DevelopmentDevelopment

http://vpd.vln.school.nz/

LCO handbookLCO handbook

• Resource for schools in online learning communities to enable effective online collaboration for teaching and learning

• Based on ten years of knowledge and experience of VLN cluster schools

• A work in progress

• Available online at:

http://www.vln.school.nz/lcohandbook/

ChallengesChallenges

• Technical barriers including bandwidth• Changing work patterns for eTeachers (career

pathways)• Shared staffing and resources• Need for onsite student support• Sustainability, growth & development (scalability &

costs)• Changing models of education - doing things

differently!

Future FocusFuture Focus

• What is our future focus as an organisation?

• Where do we see ourselves in 5 years time?

• Articulating a vision for student outcomes?

• How do we work in partnership with the MoE to achieve that? Joint co-ordinated policy and planning?