Learning Platforms, advice please

[deerwood]

I wonder if anyone can give me any advice or pointers for selecting a Learning Platform for primary schools. Are there any 'off the shelf products' available? What features should schools be looking for? How easy are they to install and run?

[russdev]

hmmm that's a whole can of worms...

 

So what i would say is work out what primary school wants to do with it and then also get one teacher/lsa who is willing to work with you and add content. As lots of systems fail as there is no content on it. so get a 'leader' involved now at planning stages.

 

Next evaluate offerings ask lea what they plan to do with government money on vle funding.

 

look at moodle, look at demo's of big major companys get some costs down and what features each have.

 

Then get teacher/lsa to do same and from there work out what is good and what is bad with each one.

 

Russ

[lindylou]

Hi deerwood

 

As you are in Gloucester (I presume you are from a Gloucester school?) you are part of the SWGfL. If you aren't already aware, there have recently been briefings on Learning Platforms, and all the resources, including videos of presentations can be found here

 

http://www.swgfl.org.uk/services/learning_platforms/lplatformssub.asp?page=briefings

 

The DfES and BECTA links lead to information and planning brochures for primary as well as secondary schools.

 

If you want to contact your LA's rep, see here

http://www.swgfl.org.uk/contact_us/portaladmin.asp

 

Hope that helps!

[Gatt]

I too am now on the look for a suitable VLE - running on a Windows System (XP/2K3)

 

My Boss is toying with converting a hall to accommodate a suite of PCs using some sort of VLE..

 

So, all i need is a list of 'em (or a link )

[Ric_]

@Gatt: Much is afoot at the moment with VLEs (as mentioned above). Ring your LEA/RBC bods and see if they have plans since they are supposed to be getting money to implement something.

 

In the menatime, pretty much everyone seems to like Moodle - it's worth giving it a go since it isn't going to cost you anything.

[Gatt]

Cheers Ric_ will check out Moodle

 

Not too keen to let our LEA be in charge of stuff - they're bad enough with our network as it is!

[Ric_]

Not too keen to let our LEA be in charge of stuff - they're bad enough with our network as it is!

 

True but you don't have a choice since they will be getting the money for it.

[Gatt]

Downloaded Moodle and liked it

Showed it to my Boss and he liked it too - was actually what he was looking for!

 

So looks like we're gonna go with it

 

Which means I need to start learning the damn thing -

[Geoff]

Plenty of moodle experts here to help you.

[dagza]

Which means I need to start learning the damn thing -

 

I have some moodle courses on my website you can get for free. KS3 ICT, KS4 ICT revision, A level Computing, VB, Physics and Electronics. Should be enough to get you started ;-) More are on the way also.

 

http://e-subjects.co.uk (currently upgrading so give it a little while)

 

Darren

[Gatt]

@dagza: Thanks will check it out later then

[RobCooper]

Hopefully this isnt against the TOS but there is a learning platform offering specifically for primary schools.

 

It is called Kowari and its made by Simica Ltd. Its different since it is aimed at use by 3-11 year olds. This is not just pretty pictures but the actual functionality available. It works via a client download for the PC and can be trialled for free (yes there is a cost to this product!)

 

In case you are wondering, yes I do have a vested interest..!

I thought it worth posting since this is a question that people are asking more and more and for which we have a solution!

[russdev]

@rob

 

Well you were upfront and as long as dont just post 'adverts' you will be fine..

 

What is your vested interest can i ask..

 

Russ

[RobCooper]

My interest in Simica is that I own part of it...........

 

 

Basically our company consists of ex-LEA staff who were involved in E-learning. We noticed the lack of support for the very young end of the VLE / learning platform market and so devised Kowari.

We launched it at BETT 2006, and have been in the process of letting people know there is a dedicated primary school solution now available.

 

I'll not abuse these forums by posting up adverts, but when someone is asking if anyone provides what you do, its killing me not to respond!

 

Anyway, perhaps some corporate sponsorship for your site is the way to go

[mberry]

There are a number of primary schools out there already using Moodle, and School Anywhere are a moodle.com partner prepackaging Moodle for the primary market. My own summary evaluation of the fist year is online at http://elgg.net/mberry/files/520/1619/PrimaryVLE.pdf

[Dageezah]

Used Moodle for a while here, then we discovered ATutor (http://www.atutor.ca) same idea as moodle, but much much better interface. If you liked moodle you will love ATutor.

[NetworkGeezer]

Phew! It's GPL. The words "same idea as moodle, but much much better interface" suggested commercial licensing.

[mighty.grey.eagle]

Used Moodle for a while here, then we discovered ATutor (http://www.atutor.ca) same idea as moodle, but much much better interface. If you liked moodle you will love ATutor.

 

Looked at this a few years back and, in the end, opted for Moodle. If you look at the roadmap for ATutor most of that is already implemented in Moodle. As for the interface you may be right - but Moodle isn't that difficult. Most of our teachers seem to find it quite simple. Work is going on at the moment using AJAX to make it a little more drag and drop - if that is what you need!

[mighty.grey.eagle]

Within 5 minutes of posting the comment about the Moodle interface "improving" I noticed on the moodle.org site a posting saying that Moodle 1.7, which should be released early next month, will have the HTML Quickforms API embedded in it. So it looks like it should be easier to use sooner rather than later.

[Dageezah]

Work is going on at the moment using AJAX to make it a little more drag and drop - if that is what you need!

 

Nah, what I need is more competant teachers - when they can turn the computers on, I will then worry about getting content onto the net... baby steps!