Chapter 1-Introduction

1. LEARNING and TEACHING with VIRTUAL ENVIRONTMENT CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION BY ELLY ROSALINA SUSANTI AND KHOTIM MASLIKAH

2. What is virtual learning? • Virtual learningis a term that has begun to be used in schools and education in generaltodescribe an application that enables teachers and learners to do some or all of the following: • share files; • download information; • email; • use discussion boards; • undertake tests and surveys; • share information; • organise time and resources; • link teaching and learning applications and activities • with management information systems

3. This is usually done through an application that runs over an intranet or the internet and isviewed through a web browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari.

4. Virtual learning and the National Curriculum • Information and communications technology (ICT) isasubject in its own right in the NationalCurriculum (NC). This means that teachers must teach the skills and knowledge prescribedby the NC. The knowledge, skills and understanding come under four headings in each ofthe four key stages. • 1. Finding things out.2. Developing ideas and making things happen.3. Exchanging and sharing information.4. Reviewing, modifying and evaluating work as it progresses.

5. “ • ICT is also referred to in the General Teaching Requirements element of the NationalCurriculum:General teaching requirementsUse of information and communications technology across the curriculum1. Pupils should be given opportunities to apply and develop their ICT capabilitythrough the use of ICT tools to support their learning in all subjects • 2. Pupils should be given opportunities to support their work by being taught to do the four key stages as mentioned in National Curriculum.

6. Teaching and learning using a VLE enable schools and teachers to meet the general requirements effectively and in a meaningful way. For examples : . A VLE can give opportunities for pupils to apply their ICT knowledge skills and understanding in auseful context.. A VLE can offer pupils a range of sources of information for their studies which can be selectedand organised by their teachers in order to ensure that the resources are relevant to the learning.. A VLE enables pupils to create and store digital work which can refined as a project progresses.. A VLE enables pupils and teachers to communicate and collaborate in a number of ways.

7. Virtual learning and the future of schools In the compulsory schooling sector, in both primary schools and secondaryschools, virtual learning looks set to be a significant tool in enhancing teaching and learning,but it will not replace the traditional interface of teachers and pupils in classrooms. This puts significant pressure on existing ICT systems in schools to have the capacity andbandwidth to cope with such a system. More importantly, teachers must develop theirteaching skills in order to make best use of the new possibilities for creative and goodquality teaching and learning which virtual learning offers.

8. There are two main areas of professional development needed if virtual learning is to beeffective in schools Pedagogical skills: Technical skills: • Webbrowser navigation; • Makingand uploading files of • content (text, images, videos, MP3, • etc.); • Addingand organising virtual • learning tools; • Settingup discussion boards and • other communications tools; • Constructingquizzes, surveys and • tests; • Managingusers of the VLE • Organisingthe introduction of the • VLE to learners; • Planningvirtual learning • opportunities in face-to-face • teaching sessions; • Using virtual learning to develop • non-classroom based learning • opportunities; • Choosingand using appropriate • content and communications • tools; • Makingthe most of online learning • opportunities.