VLE's, Portals, Platforms - AnyWhere Access

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A few years ago the Government had this great idea of forcing Schools to get a VLE.  Call it what you will it essentially means - Anywhere Access.


On paper the whole idea was great and I understood it.  The way it was done really was poorly executed and companies didn't even have products that were ready nor fully functioning.


What kind of programs are completely ready? None.  This is why Universities have setup their own systems.  So let's start with what should Anywhere Access provide:


Students

• Access to the data area - Google Drive or One Drives are perfect examples.
• Timetables, calendar information and diary dates.
• Access to software, apps and programs - call them what you will.
• Email, chat and general communication tools.
• Learning materials, course books and documentation.
• Useful links to external sites - even department specifics.
• Assignments, tasks, work and send back to the tutor.
• Single Sign On
• Linked to other systems e.g. Cashless Catering/Printing
• Video content
• Compatible with most devices

Teaching Staff - All the above plus:

• Ability to access Student assignments.
• Lesson planners.
• Ability to create all the Student materials.
• Marking, assessments and data entries.

As you can see, this is a very long list and unfortunately people don't quite realise this was what VLEs were all about.  The idea that it didn't matter where you was but with WiFi/Internet access you can potentially do work.


No Internet Access
For many years I had been told that Internet access would never be widely accessible due to costs and Parents not knowing anything about IT.  How wrong were they?  Well let's just say they were beyond wrong and it was obvious the way technology was going with more devices relying on Wi-Fi.
Now we see Wi-Fi offered in restaurants, buses and now cars.  The people who went against this are the same ones still lacking any ability to look ahead with technology.  They are the ones usually holding Schools back and concentrate too much on the finer things.


Only ten years ago the % of Parents that had Wi-Fi was around 35%, now it's roughly 99% with very few Parents who don't have access.  How do I know this? I've worked at multiple Schools in the last 6 years and the number has never been below 90% in that time and it's still increasing.


Out of a single year 99% adds up to 2-4 Parents which in my current job for year 7 is a spot on assessment.  How do I know these results? I've done surveys over the years.


What's interesting is the ones who say Parents still don't have internet access are the same ones who claim Students can't survive without their facebook.


When things work in a School, the next task should always be future planning, perfection and new technologies.


Why the rejection?
In simple terms - most don't want them, don't want the work, can't afford and don't see what they can really bring to a School.  Every month that passes, Schools and companies want more external access to everything.  How do I know this? because now we have a dozens of Staff access all sorts from home and not just their data areas.  A lot of Staff use email at home (as shown by endless amount of surveys showing workers do this).


What to use?
There are plenty out there to choose from, some are costly, a few are free but depends what you really want from the system.


Moodle
The greatest positive over this one is that it's free.  Unfortunately that is the only really good benefit.  To sync up to your data system without costs is no easy task and requires a bit of time/patience.  This also goes towards setting up a decent system of Moodle.  The basic install on to a server isn't a problem (you will need a reliable piece of kit if this becomes important).  We currently use this and it's setup, done and rarely have to do any work.  Only issues we tend to deal with is keeping staff in the know how.  Developing Moodle though would require more time and some one who is clued up.  You wouldn't be able to trust a newly employed technician to get this up and running in a few weeks.


The biggest negative over Moodle is that Support doesn't exist other then online forums although you can pay for it - support does exist on that front.


Google Freebies and Office 365/Azure- Although not quite a VLE
The likes of Gmail, Docs and even this Blogger but the problem with all these freebies - they are pretty basic.  When you compare Google Docs to say Office 365, it's a no win scenario for Google.  We attempted an entire year to use Google Docs and unfortunately there are many functions not available.


Frog
This one has huge potential, the idea of Frog was that Students loaded this no matter where they were and got everything.  Unfortunately when I last used this setup there was several issues and it seemed that maybe they took too much on and concentrated too much on quantity of functions/services instead of quality.  The idea that it was easy to create online content, lessons, homework all in a single area really is appealing.  The massive and biggest negative is the cost.  The huge cost wouldn't be so bad if there was rarely problems and all the current functions at the time worked.  Their technical support was also inconsistent.  At times you may find issues are quickly resolved and other moments you can wait weeks, months and even a year for problems to be fixed.


RealSmart
Little potential, no ability to link up to your AD system and generally not worth it.  The positive on this is it's low cost £4000 a year compared toe other major VLEs.  Unfortunately I can't say anything else that is positive other than they use the Google Apps.  Having met one of their trainers and had the dictation of scrapping Microsoft in favour of RealSmart and Google you can probably guess I wasn't too impressed.  Anyone who works in our job will know the big picture that it's not a simple switch over to one system to another.  You have too many implications which have been covered in other posts.
So this VLE is a simple system to share online content and assign - that's really it.


The above VLEs are ones I have personal experience in although there are plenty to choose from my only advice is ask your self - what do you want before you purchase a VLE.


And remember the implications:

• Impact on broadband bandwidth (peak times)
• Costs (annual costs, additional Staff)
• Training (Staff, IT Support and Students)
• Administration (general admin work)
• Administrator management (IT Support, maintenance)
• Fit for purpose (does what you want)
• Reliability (bugs, failures and downtime)
• External access

Windows 10

Dear oh Dear Microsoft
Over the years, I've been told I am too "Pro Microsoft" but the truth is I will criticise them and throw anger just as much as anyone. 
The recent one is forcing users to install Windows 10, now we all know why Microsoft are doing it - to cut off Windows 7/8 and ridiculous Vista.  They have been doing it ever since they released W10, they have pushed and pushed for everyone to upgrade.  I personally like W10 but I do not like edge, for my own PC I feel the need to wait another year at least.


Unfortunately those of us who work in Education will have learnt that software can be 10 years old but still be used.  Some companies are still not yet supporting Windows 10.  You also have to remember we are dealing with illiterate IT staff and students.  If anything looks a little bit different, everyone will panic and wonder what they have done wrong.


Testing
We are currently testing everything, from imaging to all the software packages.  We've already found a few snags but so far the testing is very positive.  So what next?

1. Allow a few staff to be imaged with the Windows 10
2. Setup an ICT suite with Windows 10

At this stage we should know if we are ready to move forward.  We would have to make sure staff are trained and know what they are doing so they can pass that on to students.
It's very important to test as much as possible and then use in real time practical day to day IT.  You would be surprised what a difference it makes.


ETA Windows 7
2020 JAN, this is the big cut off date when we need to be Windows 10.  We have not even considered Windows 8 or 8.1.  The main reason for this is, in my experience there is always that operating system we skip.  From the daunting Windows 98, buy a new PC Vista and forgetting the simple things Windows 8.  Vista was the only one that didn't really get a second edition, they had to do more work on that one to turn it in to Windows 7.


So anyway, forgetting the horrid OS's we have had over the years.  Windows 7 has to be gone from our system which means we will plan for a Summer 2019 perhaps at the start of the year to avoid the exams or start of September nightmare.  Gives us plenty of time to odd everything out, take our time and step by step get it right.


Looking else where?
We could look at Linux, Chromebook setups but let's face it.  Microsoft is still the leader on this branch, although not many PCs are being sold these days this in turn has little to do with Microsoft.  Let's face it, parents no longer need a pc for the internet nor checking their emails.  I keep hearing that Microsoft is dead, pc sales are low but as I said before - people now have a choice to buy a device fit for purpose.  People who use Windows/Office tend to be more professional and about productivity.  I know a University student who wanted anything with Office, she knows it, she uses it and although she has used other products she prefers the productivity level and ease of use.


When deciding the future you have to consider:
Cost implications - Schools are having budgets cut
Fit for purpose - no point spending £1000 on a piece of kit that will only do basic word and internet browsing.
Future proofing - avoid Intel Celerons or similar for any processor types, we stick to i3s.  With Windows 10, this should last plenty of time until the next stage is here.
The Users - They need to know what they are doing and needs to be compatible with everything you have.