Comments on: The VLE debate, my thoughts

By: DT

DT — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:56:00 +0000

Hi just a note to check out CourseDirector when comparing Google Apps LMS systems. We’ve gone for tight Google Apps integration so for example courses are created about Google Sites.

By: Daniel Stucke

Daniel Stucke — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:11:00 +0000

http://edmodo.com & http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/edu/ ?

By: KP

KP — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:05:00 +0000

If your school is looking for a facebook style vle then check out http://www.lpplus4.com

By: Daniel Stucke

Daniel Stucke — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:41:00 +0000

Hi, Apologies for the delay in replying.

Since I have written this we have gone for Realsmart Cloud (http://smartassess.com/) as our VLE. But I doubt that this fits within your budget either.

I would recommend looking at using a combination of Google Apps as you discussed for communication and collaboration needs combined with excellent and also free Edmodo (http://www.edmodo.com/). This offers a much more Facebook-esque environment that will apeal to pupils more than the big budget old fashioned solutions that are out there.

By: G Harrowven

G Harrowven — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:47:00 +0000

I’m a KS 2 teacher in a primary school on the edge of Norwich, where our LEA has decided to cease the funded Netmedia platform we have been using. It had its problems so now we have all been left to do our own research.
DB Learning are asking for £2,000 for a years subscription and this is too much at the moment for us. Norfolk LEA are saying they are rolling out Google VLE and it is currently being piloted in a number of local schools. Had a quick look at FROG and this could also be expensive. A good percentage of my Year 5 pupils shockingly use Facebook freely and weren’t interested in the chat facility Netmedia had on offer.
Are there any good tips for Primary VLE-ists literally starting with a blank canvas?

By: MrStucke

MrStucke — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:27:33 +0000

Interested to hear your complaints about MoodleDo, this is a managed (and paid for) Moodle install?? No idea on which LEAs are subscribed to which VLEs, a list would potentially be useful. Not heard anything about a Google specific VLE, although you can tick a lot of the boxes with Google Apps.

Our VLE adventure is thoroughly stalled right now, we are waiting on news of our school turning into an Academy, until this decision is made there will be little development. I am still keen to develop our own Moodle but am having to bide my time.

By: Mike Downes

Mike Downes — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:16:52 +0000

Mr S, I have a Coventry Primary School ICT role. What is latest on your experiences with your VLE? Ours uses MoodleDo, not good. Have you a data list on what every LEA in the UK uses? If not I’ll make one. Last…what do you know about Google making it’s own VLE dedicated to children? Good Luck, Mike

By: @StephLonsdale

@StephLonsdale — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:38:47 +0000

We’re starting with Moodle this year. It seems OK. We had adreadful piece of dross called Kaleidos a couple of years back. Pants.

By: MrStucke

MrStucke — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:52:40 +0000

Paul, let me know how Fronter goes. It’s still a big option on the table as it’ll be free for 2 more years and i’m sure that will have a big impact on decision making.

By: Paul James

Paul James — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:52:30 +0000

Hi Dan. I’m teaching ICT and maths in a small special school in North Yorkshire. The local authority are signed up to Fronter, so I’ll be trying to make a go of it over the course of the coming term. Not sure what to expect, but feel that it will fail to match the flexibility and depth of tools available on the web. My only other experience of a VLP so far is Moodle, which did seem to offer something – it certainly encouraged greater interaction with students and sharing of resources amongst teachers.

It will be interesting to see how things go.

Good luck in your new post.

Paul