IDEAS

Students use IVLE extensively. CIT conducts regular surveys which show that NUS students log in to IVLE at least once a day on average. They utilize IVLE's tools to their fullest extent and are disappointed, not to put too fine a point on it, when faculty do not exploit the portal's potential. Here are some things you can do to make the student IVLE experience more fulfilling and complete.

To begin with, use IVLE
Students expect all modules to have a presence on IVLE. You should, at minimum, create module outlines, use IVLE for announcements and create a Workbin for course notes distribution. Ideally, Lesson Plans and Forums should also be created to facilitate collaboration and communication.

Use the Lesson Plan
The Lesson Plan, if used, is underutilized. It can display the lesson plan by week or topic view as well as the relevant workbin files, forums and other IVLE tools. Using this method, you can streamline the workspace view and organize your lessons systematically. Read The Lesson Plan way to a clutter-free workspace to find out how to arrange this.

Participate in the Forums
Students feel that lecturers and tutors should take the time to contribute to the forums. Student discussions can generate new ideas and understanding, and they thoroughly appreciate some guidance in the forums.

A quick tip - the default header for forums can be changed. This is very helpful in organizing them. There are two ways to do this:

• From the IVLE Workspace, click Forum under Administration > Click the Edit icon for the respective module's forum > Click Topic Heading under Management > Edit the default heading or Create a new heading; or
  
• In the actual forum, click Options on the toolbar > Click Manage Your Topic Headings under ADMINISTRATION > Edit the default heading or Create a new heading.

Be timely
One of the students' bugbears is that course notes and lecture notes are sometimes uploaded late. Students appreciate timely access to course materials.

Internet-optimized files
On the topic of files, faculty should try to optimize their files before uploading them to the Workbin. For example, you should reduce images to 72 dpi and crop them to size before adding them to PowerPoint presentations. This will help reduce server load and help students using dial-up Internet connections who access IVLE from home.

Encourage students to use SELF and comment on students' e-portfolios
The Student Electronic Learning Folio (SELF) is another valuable tool which is underutilized. Encourage your students to use SELF so that they can keep track of their progress in NUS while building a body of work that will put them in good stead when it is time for them to join the workforce.

Make IVLE the first stop, with the module website in a supporting role
IVLE provides a range of tools that are more than adequate to support any module. Students enjoy finding most of their resources in one place - IVLE - rather than surfing a number of websites. Module websites can be used for purposes that are not currently supported on IVLE.