Digital Skills: VLE Impact on Student Learning (UWTSD London)

This report investigates the impact of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE), specifically Moodle, on the learning experiences of students at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David London campus, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study explores the concept of VLEs, their significance during the pandemic, and their influence on student learning experiences. The research includes a literature review examining the concept of VLE, its significance during the pandemic, and its impact on students. A mixed-methods approach is employed, with both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including an online survey distributed to 50 students. The analysis of primary data reveals student awareness of VLEs, their perceived benefits such as time management and improved accessibility, and the effectiveness of professors' use of VLEs. Secondary data from online sources and academic journals supports the findings. The report concludes with an overview of the findings, highlighting the impact of VLE on student learning and experience.

Digital Skills and
Research Methods

Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
Topic of Research:...........................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
Theme 1: Concept of Virtual Learning Environment..................................................................2
Theme 2: Significance of Virtual Learning Environment on learning experience of students in
the pandemic situation of Covid-19.............................................................................................2
Theme 3: Impact which Virtual Learning Environment have on learning experiences of
students........................................................................................................................................2
ANALYSIS......................................................................................................................................6
Primary data analysis...................................................................................................................6
Secondary data analysis...............................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

Topic of Research:
“To analyse impact of Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Moodle on learning experience
of student at University of Wales Trinity Saint David London campus because of pandemic
situation that is Covid-19”.
INTRODUCTION
Digital skills refer to range of potentials for making usage of communication applications,
network for accessing along with digital devices to manage information. Similarly, research
methods are said to techniques, approaches or strategies which are used for gathering data or
required indication for analysis with the hope of uncovering new information together with
creating better understanding about a particular topic (Rodríguez-de-Dios, van Oosten and
Igartua, 2018). Present report is prepared on impact that Virtual Learning Environment Moodle
have on learning of students studying at University of Wales Trinity Saint David London campus
due to existing pandemic situation. It includes engagement with literature, knowledge as well as
understanding of the topic and methodology of research.
Research rationale:
The rationale for preparing the research report is to develop an awareness about the
concept of Virtual Learning Environment and its impact on students learning experience because
of pandemic circumstance of Covid-19. The researcher has also developed an understanding
about online survey to collect information about the topic.
Research objectives:
 To understand the concept of Virtual Learning Environment.
 To determine significance of Virtual Learning Environment on learning experience of
students in the pandemic situation of Covid-19.
 To analyse impact which Virtual Learning Environment have on learning experiences of
students.
Research questions:
 What is Virtual Learning Environment.
 Illustrating key significance of Virtual Learning Environment on learning experience of
students in the pandemic situation of Covid-19.
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 Description of some impact which Virtual Learning Environment have on learning
experiences of students.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theme 1: Concept of Virtual Learning Environment
According to Puzhevich (2021), Virtual Learning Environment is a computer aided
approach which reveals diverse opportunities for administration, teachers as well as students. It
is seen as an innovative initiative undertaken by Universities so to provide taste of various
opportunities addition to tools which assist students and professors on daily basis. In other
words, concept says that it is an educational technology which acts as web-based platform for
digital courses of study. In Education, Virtual learning environment is a design space specially
for learning together with teaching programmes, for example, AfL and so on. For some students
and learners, “virtual” conjures for artificial world which replaces real life. .
Theme 2: Significance of Virtual Learning Environment on learning experience of students in
the pandemic situation of Covid-19
Karthik (2020) says that virtual learning environment is significant as it provides new ways
which ensures learning among students continues through developing online study materials in
pertaining situation of Covid-19. It is analysed that virtual learning environment offers ample
ways for students to study and complete their coursework anytime and anywhere which suits to
their schedule in the pandemic situation. Using this environment, students of University of Wales
Trinity Saint David London campus collaborate on certain projects and share ideas which foster
their teamwork. Furthermore, it has been analysed that virtual learning environment helps in
learning new types of technical skills among students to become more proficient with
applications together with keyboard. As, all businesses are shifting towards virtual teams, the
environment provides ways for collaboration as well as learning remotely which could be a
positive plus in upcoming career despite of Covid-19.
Theme 3: Impact which Virtual Learning Environment have on learning experiences of students
According to Keller (2020), virtual learning environment have resulted in adverse impacts
on learning experiences of students of an educational institution. It is believed by various parents
that virual learning environment impacts negatively on learning experiences of students at
universities as a student needs motivation for completing coursework, assignment and studying
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for examinations. It results in missing of in-class accountability that leads to missing of
assignment deadlines.
In contrary, Lee (2021) says that virtual learning environment creates a structure along with
assist students with managing tehri time in studies and other curriculum activities at houses that
develops their skills to great level resulting to positive impacts on learning experiences. In
context to students of University of Wales Trinity Saint David London campus, virtual learning
environment helps students to learn at pace with certain pre recorded sessions, dipping in
together with out that is best time for them to improve their other potentials in pandemic
situation. The environment is friendly for making experiments with various formats of content
along with new approaches that empowers roadmap of learning among students with online tests,
podcasts and quizzes.
METHODOLOGY
Research methodology refers to particular procedure addition to techniques which are used
for identification, assortment, process addition to analysing information on any particular topic.
It plays a significant role in helping investigator to discover new treatments along with using
current methods in best possible manner. The methodology section permits critical evaluation of
overall reliability and validity of the study.
Research approach:
Plans along with procedures of study which span phases from wider assumptions to
detailed techniques of collection, analysis together with interpretation of data is termed to
research approach (Murawski and Bick, 2017). For the present research report, selected
approaches are quantitative and qualitative. To make the study effective, quantitative research
approach is used by the researcher for gathering in-depth insights for generating new ideas. At
same time, quantitative research approach is chosen so to initiate working with hypothesis and
collecting information to determine empirical evidence which support existence of the
hypothesis.
Research philosophy:
A belief for the mechanisms wherein information about a phenomenon is gathered,
analysed addition to used is said to research philosophy. For a research, investigator selects
positivist research philosophy and interpretivist research philosophy. For presented research, key
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focus is made on interpretivist research philosophy through which researcher interpret elements
of the study effectively.
Research instrument:
A tool which is utilised for gathering, measuring together with analysing information
about particular topic is research instrument (Thanem and Knights, 2019). To collect primary
data, research instrument that are used by any researcher are survey, questionnaire, interviews
and many more. Due to pandemic situation, research instrument that is used for the current
research report are online survey through using questionnaire for the topic so to ensure wellbeing
as well as safety of respondents and investigator. The questionnaire for survey online is as
follows:
Questionnaire
Q1. Are you aware about Virtual Learning Environment?
A. Yes
B. No
Q2. How Virtual Learning Environment is benefiting you in learning?
A. Time management
B. Relationship building with students and professors
C. Improving accessibility
D. Greater flexibility and comfort
Q3. How much significant Virtual Learning Environment is in your learning experiences at
University of Wales Trinity Saint David London campus in the pandemic situation.
A. Highly significant
B. On an average
C. Of no use
Q4. Do professors at University of Wales Trinity Saint David London campus are effectively
using Virtual Learning Environment for improve learning of students?
A. Yes
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B. No
Research design:
A framework of methods and techniques that are selected by the researcher are research
design. With this, investigator is hone for methods which are suitable for the matter of subject as
well as setting studies for success (Fox and Alldred, 2018). There are ample number of research
designs such as explanatory, evaluation, descriptive and exploratory designs. Among all,
researcher of the study has adopted exploratory research design so to find out the impacts that
virtual learning environment have on learning experience of students at University of Wales
Trinity Saint David London campus.
Data collection method:
Data collection is an activity which includes gathering, measuring together with
analysing effective insights with the help of standard validated techniques. There are two sources
of data collection that are primary source and secondary source (Hayhoe and Brewer, 2020). For
collecting data about present research topic, primary source is selected wherein investigator
gathers information directly from respondents either face to face of through digital sources.
Because of pandemic situation, data about the topic are collected through survey online method.
At same time, secondary sources are used which information that is already collected by
someone else are used for the research. In this, secondary sources used are online websites,
books and journals.
Sampling:
Sample size: It refers to number of observations that are part of the study. It is generally
represented by n and influences two properties that are precision of estimates and power of
research for drawing conclusions (Gipson, Mitchell Jr and McLean, 2018). For present study,
selected sample size is 50 students of University of Wales Trinity Saint David London campus.
Profile of population: Population are delineated as entire group of people from whom
information are collected about particular topic. Population profile selected for current research
is students that are part of virtual learning environment so to analyse the impacts on their
experiences of learning.
Sampling theory: It is devising sample set. Researchers uses sampling theory so to carry
out analysis and optimising protocols for the study. Random sampling theory is used by
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researcher for the present study wherein each sample have equal chances for being selected.
Unbiased random sampling helps investigator in drawing effective conclusions.
ANALYSIS
Primary data analysis
To collect information through primary sources, a questionnaire is prepared on the research
topic which is operationalised as primary data collection tool (Blackstone, 2018). Survey online
method was used to collect information from respondents in order to ensure safety along with
wellbeing of researcher together with investigator. Questionnaire and response of students on
impacts of virtual learning environment on learning experiences of students are as follows:
Theme1: Awareness about Virtual Learning Environment Frequency
Are you aware about Virtual Learning Environment?
A. Yes 35
B. No 15
Interpretation: From the graph, it is said that 35 respondents are aware about Virtual Learning
Environment while rest 15 are unaware about the concept.
Theme 2: Impacts of Virtual Learning Environment in the pandemic Frequency
situation
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Q2. How Virtual Learning Environment is impacting you in learning in the
pandemic situation?
A. Time management 12
B. Relationship building with students and professors 15
C. Improving accessibility 15
D. Greater flexibility and comfort 08
Interpretation: As per presented graph, it is analysed that 12 students says that virtual learning
environment impacts on managing time, 15 says it impacts on relationship building with others,
15 says that it impacts by improving accessibility and 8 students says it impacts on greater
flexibility and control in the pandemic situation.
Theme 3: Significant of Virtual Learning Environment in learning
experiences at University of Wales Trinity Saint David London campus
in the pandemic situation Frequency
How much significant Virtual Learning Environment is in your learning
experiences at University of Wales Trinity Saint David London campus
in the pandemic situation.
A. Highly significant 25
B. On an average 20
C. Of no use 05
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Interpretation: From above graph, it is interpreted that 25 respondents says that Virtual
Learning Environment is highly significant, while 20 says it is on an average and rest 5 says it is
of no use in the pandemic situation.
Theme 4: Effectiveness of use of Virtual Learning Environment by
professors at University of Wales Trinity Saint David London
campus for improve learning of students. Frequency
Do professors at University of Wales Trinity Saint David London campus
are effectively using Virtual Learning Environment for improve learning
of students?
A. Yes 32
B. No 18
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Interpretation: From the diagram, it is analysed that 32 students says that professors at
University of Wales Trinity Saint David London campus are effectively using Virtual Learning
Environment for improve learning of students while 18 says no for this.
Secondary data analysis
As per investigation of reviews, it is analysed that virtual learning environment encapsules
all types of online environments which act as supplements for courses, reading resources,
informational sites, etc. They present activities, interactions as well as resources within course
structure. Moreover, virtual learning environment significantly foster learning environment of
students in the Covid-19 situation as it let students to develop relationship with others with
whom they share interests. Mixing various activities permits students to engage as well as add
more gamifications to process of learning in better ways that impacts positively on experiences
of students of higher education classes.
CONCLUSION
From the research report, it is concluded that digital skills along with research methods plays
important role in carrying out a research on a topic. Virtual learning environment is impacted
widely on students of educational institutions to foster their learning as it enhances inclusivity,
improve accessibility, builds effective relationship, saves costs, expanded world view and
develop technical skills.
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