The development of a virtual learning environment site to support year one industrial design undergraduates: a case study

This paper describes the development and initial evaluation of a site within a university virtual learning environment (VLE). This was designed to support more conventional teaching and learning on a first year undergraduate ‘design practice’ module. The first use of the VLE site in practice was evaluated from a triangulated set of qualitative data: staff observation, a student questionnaire and student reflections posted on a discussion board. The paper firstly outlines the background driving the development of the Design Practice module site on the VLE. Secondly the planning and emerging structure of the site is described. Thirdly the strategy and data collection methods to evaluate student use of the site is described. Fourthly this is followed by a discussion based on data gained. Conclusions are then drawn.