Vuolearning as an Online Learning Platform at the University of Tampere
The Vuolearning e-learning platform has been introduced in support of teaching at the University of...
Suomen Kennelliitto, The Finnish Kennel Club is a nationwide expert organization on canine matters that was established in 1889. It aims to promote the breeding of pedigree dogs, support diverse dog-related activities and improve dog-keeping standards in Finland.
An online learning platform that is easy to use and evolves constantly makes training easier
The Finnish Kennel Club started using Vuolearning in 2017 when they wanted to find a new and effective solution for training their members. An active member and dog show instructor at the Kennel Club, Pirjo Peltonen, also tried out the platform for the first time back then. Peltonen has nowadays become an active user of the platform and uses it to train the members of the Kennel Club, for example, dog show instructors, judges, and ring stewards.
Before starting the use of Vuolearning the Kennel Club had trained their members with another online learning platform and separate slideshows and printed forms. Planning and conducting courses was therefore not a new topic for the instructors when they started to test and implement the new platform. What convinced Peltonen the very first time she tried out the platform was how easy it was to use. The usability won her over and ever since the first try she has been actively training and planning courses on the platform.
"I quickly noticed that it is easy to make results with Vuolearning. You can import your previously made files onto the platform, and even without pre-made files the tasks and text will form easily. The content obviously doesn't make itself, but when the idea is there, the execution can be done with easy effort."
When comparing the Vuolearning e-learning platform today to the way it was when Peltonen started using it, she points out that the tools and functionalities have developed greatly through the years. New types of tasks are something Kennelliitto has been especially delighted about.
Some of the new functionalities that have been released have been especially useful for the needs of Kennelliitto. When arranging tasks were released on the platform, Peltonen was delighted. The arranging task type is an excellent task for dog show ring stewards since their work is based on rules and regulations and they need the ability to arrange.
The new updates and releases are communicated to the users with a red sign at the top of the screen. Peltonen says that she regularly checks the new updates to see what kind of improvements have been made to the platform.
Image: Pekka Rousi
Online learning supports many kinds of courses
The Kennel Club conducts its courses in many different forms. Some courses are done remotely and some in person, some are instructor-led and some are meant to be self-studied. The Vuolearning platform has been used on many forms of courses and its benefits have been noticed in several situations.
When conducting instructor-led courses either remotely or in person, Peltonen uploads all course materials to Vuolearning and she and the attendees all use the material through the same platform during the training sessions.
Using an online platform has freed the instructors from printing piles of papers and forms for the attendees. The platform allows instructors and attendees to carry all materials in their pockets easily wherever they go, from classrooms to forest paths. The course materials can also be easily converted to a PDF file, which the attendees can save on their own devices for later.
The members of the Kennel Club have used the platform on all kinds of devices, including mobile phones, computers, laptops, and tablets. As Peltonen mentions, one of the biggest strengths of Vuolearning is that the user experience is smooth on any kind of device. The text scales and stays clear and the tasks function well, no matter the size of the screen.
The usability of the Vuolearning e-learning platform makes it easily accessible
Peltonen shares with joy that using the platform has been uncomplicated for all members of the Kennel Club, even though their digital skills vary quite a lot. Peltonen herself is really experienced with digital devices and software, but even the members with less experience have learned to use the platform fluently.
The technical reliability of the platform has also convinced the Kennel Club members and employees. There have been barely any issues, and usually, they have been fixed simply by refreshing the page or trying again. Especially for those who are taking their first steps with digital learning, it has been important to be able to trust that the platform works.
Even if the thought of online learning seems scary or something unfamiliar, it is nothing to be afraid of.
"You will learn by doing it!", Peltonen encourages. The Vuolearning website has broad instructions on how to use the platform and what it can be used for, and the easy usability makes it accessible for all kinds of user groups. A good basic structure for a course can be built effortlessly, and when your skills develop, you can then develop the course forward, step by step. And even by boldly trying and testing tools on your course you cannot do any serious harm.
During the years of using Vuolearning, online learning has been adopted as an integral part of the Kennel Club's operations, actions, and learning processes. Thus, training members on the platform and continuously learning will definitely stay as part of it in the future as well.