| Abstract [eng] |
The constant development and increased use of information and communication technologies is changing the way we teach. As the variety and possibilities of virtual learning environments increase, the use of virtual environments in schools is becoming more and more favourable. This opens up a wide range of applications for distance learning, but it is particularly important for schools to ensure smooth communication, teacher – student collaboration, and the development, assessment and monitoring of a variety of learning content. School communities face the challenge of how and what kind of virtual learning environment to choose to best meet the needs of the school and enable teachers to successfully organize the educational process at a distance. The paper examines the problem of choosing a virtual learning environment. First, the theoretical aspects of distance learning and virtual learning environment and its application are reviewed, and the most commonly used environments in Lithuania – Moodle, Google Classroom and Microsoft 365 – are compared. Based on the analysis of the literature and the results of the research, a method for selecting a virtual learning environment according to the needs of the school has been developed, covering the most important processes from selection to realization. This method is applied in Plokščiai school-multifunctional centre of Šakiai district. It turned out that the needs of the school were best met by the Google Classroom environment. As the aim was not only to select the environment, but also to enable its successful application, there were created scenarios for the use of this environment, a virtual learning courses for self-directed teacher learning and the opportunity to assimilate the chosen environment to the school community. A survey of school teachers found that participants in the study were positive about the usefulness of the course and the environment, but a virtual learning course alone was not enough and some participants wanted a training. In this context continuity of the work is foreseen. |
