Is anyone using Versal for online learning?
Hi all
As per the title, I am wondering if anyone has tried Versal as a platform for constructing online content/courses.
We have used Moodle at our school but it has not had the uptake from staff (or students) that we were after. Some of that is down to the interface, especially for those who are not overly IT-savvy.
I have had a play with Versal and it's interface is quite appealing in terms of ease of use, and visually speaking.
Is anyone using this platform, either just with their classes, or right across a school?
Cheers
Replies
Nazmul Bashar (View all users posts) 21 Jun 2016 11:07pm ()Occasionally I used it with Junior classes. I embedded Quizlet, Geogebra and Zaption produced activities. I liked its continuity, whereas to me, Google Classroom seems a bit disjointed Google Classroom's question feature is not as good as versal. Versal has enormous potential in preparing courses and units. Our school grossly uses Google Classroom and we are GAFE dependent teachers in this school. Attached today's one of the lessons. Due to time constraint could not make it good.
- Greig Cowley (View all users posts) 21 Jun 2016 11:43pm ()
Thanks Nazmul. When I tried it I found it very easy to add many different resources. I can not see your attachment but by all means send me a link.
We too are a GAFE school but do not use Google Classroom extensively. We do use Hapara teacher dashboard and could not do without it.
I am also curious to hear experience of anyone using Schoology and whether that has been a successful platform for schools.
- Pauline Moore (View all users posts) 22 Jun 2016 9:54am ()
Hi Greig
The Connected Learning Advisory service (CLA) may be able to help, or link you with a school using Versal.
0800 700 400 (help line)
- Greig Cowley (View all users posts) 22 Jun 2016 9:04pm ()
Hi Pauline
Thank you! I will give them a call. Hope to catch up with you soon.
Regards
- Nazmul Bashar (View all users posts) 22 Jun 2016 5:48pm ()
- anne robertson (View all users posts) 22 Jun 2016 6:13pm ()
Hi Greig,
There is a range of Learning Management Systems out there, the choice you make really does depend on what you want to do with it in terms of teaching and learning. The interfaces are different, some look sleeker than others, some look less appealing. The functionality is similar - most will have a space for adding resources and building units of study, most have a means of teachers setting and students uploading assignments, some have spaces for students to have their own eportfolio space so they can showcase their learning ad reflect on it, and some have the option of allowing parents and the wider world to comment on work and for students to reflect on their learning.
What makes the difference in engagement with the online learning space is the preparation that you invest into the vision the school has for learning. If teachers have a shared understanding of the purpose and the potential of an online learning space in terms of learner outcomes, then they will engage with it and in turn the students will too. An easy user interface will definitely help in encouraging people to use it, though as you suggest.
It is useful, if you are a GAFE school, to have a system that easily integrates the GAFE suite of tools if that is what students will use. However, it is equally important that the system allows for easy upload and download of a range of media types and the embedding of resources from sites such as Prezi, Padlet, Youtube ...
It is worth taking the time, as you seem to be doing, to research what is out there and what will work best for your school environment. Consider where your teachers are in their learning around integrating digital technology into the curriculum and ensure that they have adequate time to shift their thinking (if indeed they need to) and change their practice.
You have already mentioned Moodle, Schoology and Versal; you could also use Google Sites, Canvas, Edmodo, Seesaw. Google Sites works well alongside Hāpara.
Cheers
Anne
- Greig Cowley (View all users posts) 22 Jun 2016 9:21pm ()
Thanks Anne for your thoughts and suggestions. I could not agree with you more here:
"What makes the difference in engagement with the online learning space is the preparation that you invest into the vision the school has for learning. If teachers have a shared understanding of the purpose and the potential of an online learning space in terms of learner outcomes, then they will engage with it and in turn the students will too."
It is a great reminder and starting point!
Regards
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