A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Enhancing academic and Practice

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Glossary
people who are in different places but can see and hear each other using electronic
communications.
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Web-based software which allows teachers to
construct and run online courses or course areas, and students to participate in them.
Virtual seminar A seminar which takes place over the web.
Viva voce examination An oral examination, typically at the end of a programme of
study. One part of assessment strategy if used in undergraduate programmes, principal
means of assessment of postgraduate degrees. May be used to test communication,
understanding, capacity to think quickly under pressure and knowledge of procedures.
Volunteering Unpaid activities undertaken by an individual, without monetary
reward, that aims to deliver measurable social and community benefit and enhance the
skills base of the volunteer.
Web 2.0 No definitive definition exists, but Web 2.0 loosely describes websites and web
applications which allow users to create and share content, subscribe to and aggregate
content across platforms, and personalise the way they access that content.
Webcast A live or delayed video, audio or screen capture broadcast delivered through
the internet.
Wiki Wesbite software which allows readers to edit, link and add pages.
Work-based learning (WBL) Atype of curriculum design allowing content and learning
to arise from within real working contexts. Students, usually employees, study parttime
and may use their workplace to generate projects. Unlike PBL, work-based
learners are working on real problems in real time.
World Wide Web A means of sharing information across the internet.