Interactivity - it's what it's all about

My most recent encounters with virtual learning environments came during my degree, where I used Blackboard, the VLE of the University of South Wales, and later, Moodle. Both had links to resources, such as module information and video clips, as well as a submission portal for assignments (Turnitin). What both seemed to lack was an effective two-way communication channel for students and lecturers to exchange information. 

Reading the assignment brief, it was clear that making the VLE interactive was a crucial underpinning factor of this module. With this is mind, I set about finding applications to create interactive quizzes and tests which could be easily uploaded. Quizlet was one of the tools that Mandy introduced us to during the lectures, and I was immediately attracted to it, and the ease with which I was able to create resources. What I particularly like about Quizlet is the fact that a range of different resources can be creased from the same base set of information. I entered some basic information about PEST Analayis, and was able to generate flashcards, a test, and a learning activity. Three resources from one set of facts - result! You can see how I've included them here. There's also a post on my blog showing the flashcards and a "drag and drop" activity - click here to go there. 

I also felt that I needed to incorporate a way for students to be able to comment on and discuss the material on the VLE. Wordpress already has a facility to embed a feedback form onto individual pages, which is a useful option, but not the best way to promote and encourage interaction. I included a feedback form on the front page of the VLE, but then added links to TodaysMeet rooms to facilitate more interactive discussions. TodaysMeet is a tool which I had already seen in action during our ICT lectures, and I knew that I wanted to use it in my VLE. As well as links to the rooms, I used QR codes to produce another way to access the chat rooms.

I then remembered Padlet, an app which allowed me to create a blank wall on which learners could post comments, pictures and other types of media. I thought that this would be a good way of facilitating a peer review session, where completed worksheets could be uploaded and then evaluated as a group.