Opening the door to the virtual school : enhancing student engagement through online learning communities

This chapter explores a pedagogical approach for teaching and learning using a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), enabling students to become more involved in the learning process by co-constructing their own learning journey. It also explores the use of problem-based learning (PBL) with a group of foundation degree students by adopting a flexible approach to learning through the use of a VLE. The concept of PBL requires teaching strategies to focus on the learning through student-focused activities in which learners are required to solve particular problems. The chapter presents a case study of the process of developing and adapting the VLE that highlights the barriers of an online approach for both staff and students. Many staff and students may consider themselves to be 'digital natives' and the case study highlights how perceived barriers to employing such an approach have been addressed and how the notion of online learning communities has been developed. Making effective use of a VLE provides a more flexible approach to learning, and in using PBL as a tool to enhance student engagement, a 'discourse' in students' thinking is created which requires support and an approach that provides scaffolded learning