University of Essex
Support for E-Learning at the University of Essex
provided by Web and Learning Technology

For Staff - Overview of E-Learning at Essex

There are a number of definitions of e-learning but generally it means the use of electronic technology and media to deliver, support and enhance teaching, learning and assessment. It includes elements of communication within and between communities of learners and teachers, as well as provision of online content, which may be locally generated or developed elsewhere.

At Essex we have a variety of e-learning packages and tools available for use by students and staff. Most of these can be accessed via the myEssex portal (on the main university web site).

Course Material Repository (CMR) - this is an online tool that allows teaching staff to publish materials to the web that are relevant to a specific course, such as course outlines, course materials, timetables, past exam papers, etc.

  • If you only want to make your course materials available to your students (but not create an online course), this is the learning technology we would recommend you use.

Online Coursework Submission (OCS) - this is an online tool that allows students to submit digital copies of assignments to their department via the internet.

  • If you want your students to submit their coursework online, this is the learning technology we would recommend you use.

Moodle - this is a 'virtual learning environment' (VLE) that provides an additional tool to support learning and teaching. Moodle offers a variety of course and communication features, including content management (resources) and activities such as discussion forums, chat facilities, surveys, glossaries, wikis, etc.

  • If you wish to create a web-based course that provides your students with learning resources and opportunities to communicate and collaborate, this is the learning technology we would recommend you use.

Questionmark Perception - this is a web based application that enables teaching staff to create online surveys, assessments, and tests.

  • If you want to run online assessments for formative and/or summative purposes, this is the learning technology we would recommend you use.

myLife - this is a personal space in which students can record thoughts and activities of any variety (through a weblog), as well as create work and social spaces that allow them to prepare academic work and keep track of all of their friends.

  • If you want your students to develop reflective practice, this is the learning technology we would recommend you use.

Personal Response System (PRS) - this is a classroom technology that allows the lecturer to engage in a form of conversation with very large numbers of students simultaneously.

  • If you want to engage with large numbers of students in the lecture hall, this is the learning technology we would recommend you use.
If you are interested in using any of these e-learning tools in your teaching, please contact the Learning Technology Team (email: ltt, non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk).

Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, United Kingdom.
© Copyright 2007 University of Essex. All rights reserved.

This page was last updated on  22 May 2008 by the Learning Technology Team.
E-mail: ltt; non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address.