The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

The school has its own Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) or Learning Platform, hosted by UniServity, which can be accessed from school, home and any external computer by pupils, parents and staff.

The UniServity VLE is an exciting web-based learning environment providing students with the 21st Century learning and social networking tools to work, store information, collaborate, and communicate. Each student has a password (which they should share with their parents) to enable him or her to access the resources and to use their own 20 megabyte storage area allowing them to work on homework and coursework at school and at home. You and your child can log onto this secure area wherever you have access to a computer.

The VLE enables the school to keep abreast of current educational developments, such as the move to more personalised learning, by enabling staff to place their own resources directly on the secure area of the website where they can be accessed anytime, anywhere. The use of tools such as Forums and Wikis enable students to participate actively in online discussion and collaborative work. Some homework tasks will be set using the VLE and its resources. Departments can use the VLE to ‘showcase’ student work and to allow students to share work with each other. In addition to departmental resources there are many areas to aid students with their studies such as the Learning Zone and the Library areas. Within the Parents and Pupils area there are sections for each year group, and for areas of general interest such as the School Council and Eco Schools and Student Voice.

School news and information is also available through the VLE, enabling parents to keep up to date with events in school. The half-termly newsletter keeps the whole school community in touch with recent events. Important up-to-date news such as closures due to severe weather, or other emergencies, are posted on the VLE homepage. All parents and students are expected to complete the online Acceptable Use and Use of Images agreements for the use of the school computer network and the VLE. The use of the VLE allows students and parents to express their opinions on many issues through the use of surveys to enable discussion through forums. The OSA has its own area where parents can find out about the many fundraising events run by the OSA

The school VLE address is http://damealiceowens.school-portal.co.uk
Although the site is in use please bear in mind that the whole VLE is constantly developing, and content will be added regularly to increase the scope of this very useful resource.

If your child does not have access to a computer and Internet facilities at home please contact Mr Roberts, Director of ICT, or Mrs Compton, Librarian/VLE Coordinator who will ensure that your child is able to use school computers at lunchtime or after school.

If you have any queries about the VLE please contact Mrs S Compton at the school. E-mail: comptons@damealiceowens.herts.sch.uk.