Virtual Learning Environments

Thinking a lot about the applications of VLEs and LCMS in the HS CLSRM… There is definitely a huge paradigm shift going on here and it is going to redefine the roles of consultants in the classroom and in the boardroom more than for anyone else right now.

My father in law teaches accounting classes to bankers–almost remedial courses for people with promise but little actualy education in the area so that they can get up to speed. I think of a course model like LCMS that he can sell to the banks at a reduced cost to them, and a reduced outlay of time and physical effort to be in the classroom. It is a value add for everyone. I’m going to bring it up with him when I am back stateside.

I also consider them in the classroom, especially with IEP-requiring students. ILCMSs could really help certain students deal with the difficulties they have… and allow for the teacher to automate/simplify the type of individualized education they provide–and allow both teacher and student the capacity to do it outside of the classroom.

If the new paradigm of education is skills-based training, then this will fit well. I would imagine that it will be dificult for it to tak ethe place of ethics and philosophical training–look at what weird places Second Life and Metaplace are right now… not to mention the whole Twitter thing (which kids don’t use… the article about the 15 year old Morgan Stanley intern was hilarious–as though it was actually news! Twitter is a business networking tool, not a social network in teenage sense of the word.

I work for a huge global company, Siemens. My first VLE was there web-based training system. We are required to do classes in “legal compliance” and “financial risk assessment” and other complete snoozers. In addition to the horrible subject matter, the training was just like PowerPoint slides with a narrator reading aloud what is on the slides. The only interactivity is clicking to go to the next slide. I hate to think how much money they invested in this horrible training.

Then came Blackboard with which we are all familiar. So I won’t blab about that. However, my next VLE was taking classes Second Life. I LOVE IT! Last year I spent the whole summer giving myself a Second Life education – I learned to build & script. I also took a class in role-playing and other SL “social’ skills. I’m now what is called “a class junkie” in SL.

I like learning in SL so much that last January between semesters, I completed “teacher training” so I can start  teaching classes myself. I still have to complete my “practice” teaching with a mentor but i’ve already been offered a job teaching for them. Woohoo!

There are many interesting things happening in education in SL. There are some great mashups happening. One that I found very interesting that i want to explore more is Sloodle.  Also, the list of universities offering classes in SL is growing exponentially which really excites me. I can see myself spending my days teaching in SL instead of sitting in a cubicle working for The Man.