Virtual Learning to complement traditional teaching at the University of York
Posted on 28 February 2005
The University is establishing a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which will give academic departments the opportunity to expand the range of teaching styles. Online teaching programmes will complement conventional class-based tuition.
Eventually, all the University's 10,500 students will be linked to the sophisticated Blackboard Academic Suite™, opening opportunities for self-directed learning and making small group teaching easier through live online seminars and tutorials. It will give York one of the most advanced e-learning environments in the country.
The University is keen to ensure that this investment really has a positive impact on the quality, range and flexibility of teaching and learning activities at York and supports both staff and students
Professor Trevor Sheldon
The complete Blackboard Academic Suite will also enable part-time, and distance learning students, and those on placements, to learn at any time and from practically any location. This is at the core of a Networked Learning Environment™ and supports the University's commitment to community learning. Face-to-face teaching in lectures, laboratories, seminars and tutorials continues with the added bonus of sophisticated back-up from the VLE.
The University of York chose the Blackboard Academic Suite after an exhaustive consultation process, involving academic and administrative departments, staff and students. The system is flexible and easy to use, and can be readily adapted by departments and services to develop customised software tools.
Academics say the system, which boasts an effective content management facility, will provide greater efficiency in course administration, allowing assignments to be submitted online and student progress to be tracked. It will give students direct electronic links to library and multi-media resources while also offering opportunities for departments to share resources. The system will also be used to enhance in-service training for all categories of staff.
Pilot courses are expected to start in January next year. The system will be introduced on a phased basis and is expected to be fully operational by October 2008. The £1.4 million total cost includes training, support and staffing costs for the rollout of the system. The University's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Trevor Sheldon, said: "The VLE complements class-based activities all the way to the delivery of whole programmes online, and departments will be able to choose the extent to which they use it.
"The flexibility of the Blackboard Academic Suite will enable the VLE to grow in line with the University’s needs while keeping pace with teaching requirements and good practice in online learning. Students are an increasingly IT-literate group and expect a rich variety of teaching and learning. The VLE will bring particular benefits to students on distance-learning and placement programmes.
"The University is keen to ensure that this investment really has a positive impact on the quality, range and flexibility of teaching and learning activities at York and supports both staff and students."
Blackboard CEO, Michael Chasen, said: "Blackboard is pleased to welcome University of York as a new member of the Blackboard Academic Suite family. By setting up and fostering a Networked Learning Environment, York is paving the way in the future of teaching and learning, where academic institutions are connected and integrated with libraries, research labs, other institutions, advisors, alumni and many other elements of campus life."
Notes to editors:
- A VLE Implementation Group, representing administrative staff, the University’s Computing Service and the University Library, is responsible for implementing the system. An Academic Advisory Group is being established to offer guidance and reflect the views of the end-user community across the University.
- Blackboard is a leading VLE supplier within UK Higher Education and the Blackboard Academic Suite package is Full range product. Blackboard provides technical support and recovery services.