Review of Virtual Learning Environments in UK Medical, Dental and Veterinary Education

JHA Cook

    Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned report

    Abstract

    This is the report of the Higher Education Academy subject centre for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine (formerly LTSN-01) Mini-Project 'Review of Virtual Learning Environments in UK Medical, Dental and Veterinary Education'. It is an update of the JTAP-623 report carried out in 2001. It presents responses to two questionnaires (targeted at "academics" and "developers") circulated in August / September 2004, as well as some comments collected at a one-day seminar in May 2004. A total of 35 medical schools responded, along with 9 Dental Schools and 7 Vet Schools. Responses show that almost half of schools are now using a commercial rather than a bespoke VLE, although bespoke systems are still felt to be more suitable. Overall usage of VLEs has increased greatly. There has been development of VLEs towards personalisation and integration with other systems, mainly through moves towards single-sign-on, although there is still work to do in this respect. A minority of schools are actively involved in sharing content (mainly questions and interactive materials) and to a lesser extent system code and components. This is mainly done within formal projects and associations. The teams supporting VLEs vary enormously in terms of their size and skill sets. Although there has been a broadening in the range of activities carried out with VLEs, their core function is still delivery of course and administrative information. There is still insufficient data about how VLEs are affecting teaching and learning practice, although there is a strong belief that they are important in supporting students on placement, mainly by improving contact with central services.
    Translated title of the contributionReview of Virtual Learning Environments in UK Medical, Dental and Veterinary Education
    Original languageEnglish
    PublisherHigher Education Academy
    Number of pages85
    ISBN (Print)0701701862
    Publication statusPublished - Aug 2005

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher: University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Centre of Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine
    Other identifier: 978-0701701864

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