Registration is fast, easy and free. Tell us who you are and we’ll get in touch with more information about using the VIBE as part of your Diploma courses.
Will my school's computer equipment have the facility to run the VIBE?
The minimum technical specifications required to run the VIBE are:
Windows XP or Vista (32 or 64bit)
1GB System Memory
64MB graphics card with hardware transform and lighting
Direct X 9.0c
1.5Ghz Processor
The standard equipment in most schools would have the necessary specification to run the VIBE
How will I use the VIBE in my classroom?
VIBE resources can be used in variety of ways making it a valuable addition to your practitioner tool box.
What aspects of the Diploma are covered by the VIBE?
The VIBE targets hard to reach elements of the Diplomas, incorporating opportunities for your learners to develop their functional skills and personal learning and thinking skills. Each VIBE resource is mapped against the Diploma specification and indexes the topics it covers.
How do we get access to it?
The VIBE can be integrated into your school’s computer network in consultation with your technical staff. There is also online technical support available.
Will it run in my school?
The VIBE software has been designed with schools in mind and has been tested extensively on a number of school sites. There is a comprehensive support mechanism, including a FAQ section to address any issues that may arise.
Is the technology upgradeable?
The software and curriculum content is upgraded annually.
Is the software secure?
The software has been written to set standards to avoid network security issues. A number of features will stop the illegal use of the software.
Is there a maximum number of users?
The package supports concurrent use – it would be recommended as a guide to set your limit at 30 concurrent users for school networks.
Will my IT department be able to install it?
A comprehensive manual and email support is available to help your IT team along every step of the process.
Does it sit on server or on the web?
It can sit on a local machine, server or be linked from an external site.
Can it be used at home by learners?
A version is being considered for home use.
Curriculum
What aspects of the Diploma are covered by the VIBE?
The VIBE targets hard to reach elements of the Diplomas, incorporating opportunities for your learners to develop their functional skills and personal learning and thinking skills. Each VIBE resource is mapped against the Diploma specification and indexes the topics it covers.
What level is it aimed at?
The VIBE is currently aimed at level two of the Diploma and other 14-19 qualifications. Feedback from practitioners indicated a need for greater support and resources at this level. In most cases, it is also straightforward to develop level one learning from the embedded curriculum activities available on each line of learning resource.
What after sales support is there?
There is an online forum and support email service for curriculum and technical enquiries.
How can it be adapted for levels one and three delivery?
You can populate the VIBE resource with your own content and learning activities although many of the web links and other resources will still be relevant.
Why were the specific units and activities chosen?
After receiving feedback from schools, we included the units and activities which are the most difficult for practitioners to teach using traditional methods.
How do practitioners assess progress of learners? Is there any guidance given on how to plot learner progression?
The VIBE is a tool for learning and not a single journey resulting in pre-determined assessment outcomes. Therefore the practitioner remains in charge of the assessment outcomes:
1.Determining the scope and depth as appropriate for each learner and to their local real-time context. For example, a rural school delivering the Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment may have a completely different context to an urban school meaning practitioners may want to encourage learning in slightly different contexts with different emphases.
2.Ensuring much more personalised learning experiences for their students.
3.Enabling and empowering learners to use the resources and content to support individual learning outcomes results in greater differentiation and therefore rigour in the assessment process.
Is this a game?
No, it is an educational resource that has been developed using the same games engine technology that is used by most computer and console games offering learners an engaging environment to develop their skills.
