Robin Popow wrote this report for the BC Educational Technology Users Group:
Vancouver Community College has entered what appears to be its next phase of life with regards to educational technology. Over the past four years, we have gone from less than a dozen programs utilizing online environments to a robust Moodle environment in use by over 300 faculty members. Phase two comes as many using Moodle over the past few years become more comfortable with the environment and the constructivist paradigm shift it quietly encourages. In a general way, we have reached the E in the ADDIE model and the Centre for Instructional Development (CID) has been actively evaluating offerings on a voluntary basis based on established best practices and evaluation criteria. A focus now is on the redevelopment of courses at a program level with many areas collaborating to create a layout to offer their common students consistency across courses. These templates have been well received by faculty and students.
We are currently in the testing phase for a number of new initiatives including a new server for our Moodle environment, an upgrade to the latest version of Moodle from 1.9.2, a new student/faculty portal, an iTunes-U site including its integration to Moodle, and a system of new web resources to support a new community of practice for Moodle users at VCC. We are also interested to hear from other institutions with regards to if/how/when others will implement Moodle 2.0. Additionally, we have established a focus group to recommend an application to support ePortfolio development and will be seeking input here as well since many BC institutions have been doing wonderful things in this area.
With our downtown campus closing to accommodate the 2010 Olympic Games many programs will be utilizing the online environment during this time to ensure no time is lost. Many of these programs will also be taking their first journey into Moodle and have been working hard to prepare – some for as long as one year. It is as if the fever of the games has inspired VCC to “go for the gold” too.
Among these online developments at Vancouver Community College is a course for car body repair apprentices that delivers 10 weeks of the program online, using a large number of simply produced video clips of practices and procedures in car body repairs, with the last three weeks being the hands-on training. Because all the students are apprentices already working under supervision, many already have the skills required when they arrive at the college for the last three weeks hands-on work. They are tested, and those that have the skills are sent back to work, so the instructor can focus on those that need the skills most.
If you want to share your experiences with Moodle 2.0, you can contact Robin at rpopow@vcc.ca
Dr. Tony Bates is the author of eleven books in the field of online learning and distance education. He has provided consulting services specializing in training in the planning and management of online learning and distance education, working with over 40 organizations in 25 countries. Tony is a Research Associate with Contact North | Contact Nord, Ontario’s Distance Education & Training Network.
Can I use your website as an example in my web design class?
“those that have the skills are sent back to work, so the instructor can focus on those that need the skills most.”
I think this is an excellent strategy to focus on those who needs more training the most and for those who have learned the ropes, they are given the opportunity to really put their knowledge in practice.
Great article! I hope to go to Vancouver community college for a vocational traning.