Use and Perceptions of VLEs in Secondary Schools

       Background

After government incentives and usage drives from Local Authorities, VLEs have finally arrived in UK schools. VLE compatibility appears anecdotally to be increasingly important to teachers reviewing resources, but what does VLE compatibility really mean to them? Is full integration necessary or is simply being able to easily link to content enough?

This comprehensive report looks at teachers’ perceptions and current usage of VLE technologies alongside changes anticipated for the future, highlighting implications for publishers and other content owners.

Project Scope and Key Questions

Current use of VLEs 

• Looking in detail at current use of VLE technologies, including levels of use for assessment, homework, classroom teaching, revision, storing student work, communications within the school, school reports and administration, and communications with parents.
• Which VLEs are most widely used?
• What type of content is currently being used within VLEs?
• How regular is usage?
• Most popular and least used areas of functionality.

Importance of VLE compatibility

• How important is VLE compatibility? Why?
• How much of a priority is VLE compatible software likely to be in 2 years’ time?

Understanding of VLE compatibility

• What exactly do teachers understand VLE compatibility to mean?
• What are the compatibility issues currently experienced by teachers?

Satisfaction with current VLE

• How satisfied are teachers with their current VLE system?
• What are the difficulties of using this VLE?
• What benefits are they hoping for?

Future use of VLEs

• How do teachers imagine their VLE usage will change in the future?
• What functionality would be desirable for the future?

VLE funding streams and available budget

• Are teachers aware of any additional funding streams available to support VLE use?

Note:  This project scope is indicative and may change as the project develops. We welcome your feedback on areas to be covered.

Methodology

15 in-depth interviews will be held with SLT members across a wide variety of schools. This qualitative stage will feed directly into the quantitative questionnaire design. An email survey will then be sent out to over 6,000 Heads of English, Science, Geography, Technology and Maths in secondary schools in England and Wales.

Costs

Report (Digital copy) - £1500 + VAT

Early bird subscribers (subscribing by 27thSeptember) rate - £1200 +VAT

Additional paper copies available at £10 per copy

For an additional £250 subscribers can buy a secret question either in the in-depth interviews orin the survey. Responses to this will not be shared with other subscribers.

Timing

This research will be conducted in September / October with the report available end of October 2010.

Contact

To order a copy of this report, or to find out more about this project please contact Jane Powell.  Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Tel: +44 (0)207 253 8959

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