Research Report: Moodle's Impact on Students at UWTSD London Campus

This research report investigates the impact of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Moodle on the student experience at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) London Campus. The study employs a qualitative research methodology, gathering primary data through questionnaires administered to students and secondary data from online sources. The report analyzes the age, gender, course, study hours, and Moodle usage of the participants, as well as their ratings of online learning materials, the Moodle app, and the online library. The findings indicate that while many students find Moodle to be a convenient tool for online learning, there are areas for improvement, particularly regarding user satisfaction with the online library and the complexity of the platform. The report concludes with recommendations for optimizing the VLE to enhance the student learning experience, including ensuring reliable internet access, simplifying the platform, and providing relevant and up-to-date information. The study highlights the importance of addressing these factors to maximize the effectiveness of online learning environments.

RESEARCH REPORT

Table of Contents
TOPIC:.............................................................................................................................................1
Rationale of the study......................................................................................................................1
Objectives........................................................................................................................................1
Methodology....................................................................................................................................2
Primary Data Analysis.....................................................................................................................2
Data Analysis And Interpretation....................................................................................................5
Secondary Data Analysis...............................................................................................................11
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)..................................................................................11
Impact on students experience with studying through Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) –
Moodle..................................................................................................................................11
Factors which has to be considered while using Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) –
Moodle..................................................................................................................................11
for study purpose.................................................................................................................11
Conclusion/ Recommendation.......................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

TOPIC:
Impact of Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) – Moodle on students' experience. A
study on University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus.
Virtual learning environment refers to use of web pages and online sources for education
purpose. It is important and significant in current market to understand and evaluate best
techniques to learn about. There will use of complete and specific information through which
people can understand and determine performance properly. With change in learning and
studying approaches, it will easy for students to get updated knowledge (Ammigan and Jones,
2018). In offline classes. There is requirement of change in learning program and students can
collect information properly. In order to evaluate and determine changes properly, so latest
software can be updated properly and students can grab knowledge 24*7. This study is based on
University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus which provides learning opportunities
through online sources.
Rationale of the study
This study is important in current market because these days, there is use of internet
sources for studying. These days in college and other educational institute, there is use of smart
classroom where study is done through online media. With the help of this study, students gets to
know about importance of Virtual learning environment and factors which contributes in their
learning ability. These days, with use of online sources, students have complete knowledge but
management of college have to take care of some factors through which they can implement
changes online sources properly (Bates, Kaye and McCann, 2019). With passage of time, there is
increment in up- gradation of technology and it will easy to determine changes properly. College
management gets knowledge about factors which has to be considered and getting positive
impact with change of it.
Objectives
 To acquire knowledge about Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
 To determine impact on students experience with studying through Virtual Learning
Environment (VLE) – Moodle
.
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 To evaluate the factors which has to be considered while using Virtual Learning
Environment (VLE) – Moodle
for study purpose.
Methodology
Research methodology provides information about tools and techniques which are used
to complete this study. There will complete and specific knowledge to reader about using
techniques and justification behind it,
In order to complete this study researcher will use qualitative research method because in
this method, there is complete and specific information with pictures, hence it is easy for reader
to understand it, researcher can also make clear about facts (Hennessy and et. al., 2016.).
In order to collect information, there will use of primary and secondary methods. Primary
information is collected through questionnaire in which some questions are framed about virtual
learning and respondents have to fill it. While secondary information is collected through online
sources which is one of the most important for understanding and determining changes properly.
Online sources are authentic and reliable because this is the way through which authentic
information can be collected. When reliability and authenticity of the page then study will
understandable and decision can be made according to it.
Simple random sampling method is used in this study because there will completion of
information with which respondents are selected frequently. There will equal possibility of being
selected. 11 students are selected for collecting primary information through questionnaire.
There are ethical consideration which are considered in performing this study. There will
consideration of confidentiality and informed consent. In informed consent, students from whom
questionnaire is filled have knowledge about changes which are taking place while conducting
study and reason behind it. Confidentiality is maintained by consideration and determining
changes properly. This is specific and relevant for making reader acknowledged that this study is
appropriate and specific (Jordan and et. al., 2018).
Primary Data Analysis
Primary information is collected through questionnaire and this is filled by students of
University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus because thy have knowledge about
virtual learning techniques.
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QUESTIONNAIRE
Q1 What is your age?
18-25
26-35
36-45
45+
Q2 What is your gender?
Male
Female
Others
Q3 What is your course?
Business
Health and social care
IT
Q4 How many hours do you study per week?
0-5 hours
5-10 hours
10-15 hours
20+ hours
Q5 How many hours do you spent on average on Moodle?
0-5 hours
5-10 hours
10-15 hours
20+ hours
Q6 How would you rate the online learning materials on Moodle?
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Very Poor
Q7. How satisfied are you with the Moodle App?
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Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Very Poor
Q8. How would you rate the online library materials?
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Very Poor
4

Data Analysis And Interpretation
Theme 1: Age
Q1 What is your age? Frequency
18-25 0
26-35 9
36-45 1
45+ 1
Interpretation- There are majority of candidates are from 26-35 age group who are
availing online study material. 1 individual is from 36 to 45 age group and remaining 1 is having
age more than 45.
Theme 2: Gender
Q2 What is your gender? Frequency
Male 5
Female 6
Others 0
5

Interpretation- Information is collected from 5 males and 6 females. Most of the
individuals are female because they are working as well as studying, so it is not easy for them to
get complete and specific information.
Theme 3: Course
Q3 What is your course? Frequency
Business 11
Health and social care 0
IT 0
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Interpretation- While asking about field of students, it is evaluated and analysed that all
the candidates are from business class, so they prefers to use Virtual Learning Environment
(VLE) – Moodle. They are working, so it will be easy for them to complete the study.
Theme 4: Hours of study
Q4 How many hours do you study per week? Frequency
0-5 hours 6
5-10 hours 4
10-15 hours 0
20+ hours 1
Interpretation- 6 individuals out of 11 used to study for less than 5 hours, 4 students
prefers to study 5-10 hours, remaining 1 individual studies more than 20 hours a week. Hence it
is interpreted that most of the students studies 5 hours or less.
Theme 5: Hours spent on Moodle
Q5 How many hours do you spent on average on Moodle? Frequency
0-5 hours 9
5-10 hours 2
10-15 hours 0
20+ hours 0
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Interpretation- Out of 11 students 9 studies 5 hours or less on Moodle which is less so
they can get complete information from these Moodle. There are 2 students who studies around 5
to 10 hours. So it is interpreted that Moodle is better way to gather and collect information from
online sources and this is the easiest way to get information.
Theme 6: Rating of online material
Q6 How would you rate the online learning materials on
Moodle?
Frequency
Excellent 2
Good 3
Average 5
Poor 1
Very Poor 0
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Interpretation- While asking about rating it is evaluated that 2 individuals favours it
excellent, 3 students says it is good, 5 individuals says it has to be average and remaining 1
individual says that it is poor. Hence it is interpreted that it is average of students and their
learning.
Theme 7: Satisfaction with Moodle App
Q7. How satisfied are you with the Moodle App? Frequency
Excellent 2
Good 4
Average 5
Poor 0
Very Poor 0
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Interpretation- With using Moodle App 2 students are highly satisfied. 4 people says it is
good and they are learning properly from it. Remaining 5 people have view that it is average for
them because they are not getting information asper offline classes, hence they are less satisfied.
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Theme 8: Rating of online library
Q8. How would you rate the online library materials? Frequency
Excellent 1
Good 2
Average 7
Poor 1
Very Poor 0
Interpretation- There is facility of online library as well with which students can get to
know about other things as well. According to 1 students facility of online library is excellent,
individuals says its good, 7 people have view that it is average and remaining 2 individuals says
it is poor or very poor. Hence it is interpreted that online library provide average services to
students.
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Secondary Data Analysis
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
Virtual learning environment is set of techniques through which individuals can learn and
get proper knowledge about it. There will use of complete and specific information through
which students can improve their knowledge through web connection and electronic media to
use it. As per view of Margaret Rouse, 2019 There will requirement of complete and specific
information through these sources because individuals will get knowledge about their academic
area. If student is working at some place, then also they can acquire knowledge about it through
these platform (Kahu and Nelson, 2018).
Impact on students experience with studying through Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) –
Moodle
There will positive or negative impact with use of virtual learning techniques for the
purpose of students because some students are not suing it for getting positive impact. With use
of online sources,. It is easy for students to get complete information about it. There will
complete and specific information to students, even if they are working at workplace. According
to Peter Demian and James Morrice, 2019 There is flexibility of individuals and it is easy for
students to know what is better available in the society. But there is negative impact as well
because people are not having complete and appropriate information about way to use it
platform, there is requirement of id and password through which student can log in,. Hence this
requires renewable fees which is costly for students. If students takes regular class, then this will
give positive impact on their performance because they can ask query and remain regular in their
studies (Ladd and Sorensen, 2017).
Factors which has to be considered while using Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) – Moodle
for study purpose
There are some factors which has to be considered by students must prefer if, they want
to use virtual learning techniques for getting positive outcome. There must be proper and regular
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internet connection through which individuals are getting regularity in their studies and their
concentration does not get affected. There will use of complete and specific platform which is
authentic for students. As per view of Alice Maltby and Sarah Mackle, 2019 This assist in
getting and maintaining proper information about conducting activities. With change in business
activities, there will use of appropriate and specific sources which adds value to their knowledge.
There must be simplicity in using online platform because it is not possible for people to
understand and determine changes properly. For instance: if operations of online class link is
tough, then it makes student unrealistic to collect information and read it properly (Porteous and
Machin, 2018).
Conclusion/ Recommendation
From the above discussion, it is clear with use of virtual technique for study knowledge
of individuals can get improved knowledge of individuals, then it is easy for students to work as
well as study. There are some students who are not satisfied with online library, so it is important
to take actions with which they can get proper information. As majority of individuals are
studying 5 hours or less, then it is essential to make relevant information available, so they can
make proper use of it. Rating to this online Moodle from 5 individuals is average, so corrective
actions must be taken in regard to it. There are issues as well while using virtual platform such
as improper link to use online source, complex technological platform, etc. with which students
can not get proper information.
There are some recommendations for students when they are acquiring knowledge
through online sources i.e. they must have used authentic source which have to be subscribed
and authentic with id and password. When student is using some online portal, then it is
important that they must consult with their tutor and supervisor, so their knowledge will in
context of college. As most of the individuals are working, so there must easy procedure of log
in and understanding, so it will be easy for them to enhance their knowledge and get good grades
in exams. There must be improvement in online Library because this is the way through which
students can learn new things and aspects.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ammigan, R. and Jones, E., 2018. Improving the student experience: Learning from a
comparative study of international student satisfaction. Journal of Studies in
International Education. 22(4). pp.283-301.
Bates, E. A., Kaye, L. K. and McCann, J .J., 2019. A snapshot of the student experience:
exploring student satisfaction through the use of photographic elicitation. Journal of
Further and Higher Education. 43(3). pp.291-304.
Hennessy, C. M. and ete.al., 2016. Social media and anatomy education: Using twitter to
enhance the student learning experience in anatomy. Anatomical sciences education.
9(6). pp.505-515.
Jordan, K. A. and et. al., 2018. Enhancing the college student experience: Outcomes of a leisure
education program. Journal of Experiential Education. 41(1). pp.90-106.
Kahu, E. R. and Nelson, K., 2018. Student engagement in the educational interface:
understanding the mechanisms of student success. Higher Education Research &
Development. 37(1). pp.58-71.
Ladd, H. F. and Sorensen, L. C., 2017. Returns to teacher experience: Student achievement and
motivation in middle school. Education Finance and Policy. 12(2). pp.241-279.
Porteous, D. J. and Machin, A., 2018. The lived experience of first year undergraduate student
nurses: A hermeneutic phenomenological study. Nurse education today. 60. pp.56-61.
Smyth, L. and et. al.,. and Jones, S.B., 2016. How science really works: the student experience
of research-led education. Higher Education. 72(2). pp.191-207.
Stone, C., 2017. Opportunity through online learning: Improving student access, participation
and success in higher education.
Tan, A.H.T., Muskat, B. and Zehrer, A., 2016. A systematic review of quality of student
experience in higher education. International Journal of Quality and Service
Sciences. 8(2). pp.209-228.
Online
Rouse, M., 2019. virtual learning environment (VLE) or managed learning environment (MLE).
[Online]. Available through: <https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/virtual-learning-
environment-VLE-or-managed-learning-environment-MLE>.
Demian, P. and Morrice, J., 2019. The use of virtual learning environments and their impact on
academic performance. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.11120/ened.2012.07010011>.
Maltby, A. and Mackle, S., 2019. Virtual learning environments – help or hindrance for the
‘disengaged’ student?. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687760802657577>.
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