Small Steps to VCL Basic Content...

Here are some small steps you can take to create the content of your 'Level 1' virtual library if...

- you don't really have any careers or Connexions online resources already easilly available to students OR

- you want to start to develop the basic content of your virtual library...

In most cases, you will need to ask your IT Manager to do these tasks, but they are not usually time consuming or highly technical.

'LEVEL 1' Virtual Library: ZONE AND LINKS...

STEP 1 - ZONE CREATION: Create a prominent Careers, Connexions or Careers/Connexions zone on your website, Intranet or VLE. Preferably this will have a colourful button or, if not, at least it will be a prominent click or folder.

This can literally take just minutes!

STEP 2 - QUICK LINKS: Create clickable, quick links to key online sites in the prominent place or zone in step 1.

This can literally take just minutes too!

Sometimes, adding these links is almost like copying and pasting from Word.

So, within half an hour, your website or VLE could have quick clicks available to students (and parents/carers, teachers, etc!), taking them through to some of the main support sites, the ESSENTIAL ONE being:

www.SortItOnline.com - This is your virtual library 'gateway' site. Just adding a prominent link to SortItOnline.com for starters means you're on your way, as the site is a 'virtual library' in itself.

SortItOnline provides comprehensive information and signposting for all teenager and learner advice needs.

We have already built in approved links to all of the main, teenager-focussed, local and national online services and support for teenagers in Nottinghamshire.

Why use SortItOnline? - more on using this site as your starting point

MORE 'QUICK-LINK', BASIC 'VCL' SITES

When STEP 2 is complete, you can now promote this new zone to students, teachers, staff and even parents and carers if the zone is on your public site - let them know it's there and where and how they can use it!

Get more on the all-important awareness-raising activities from Section 7 of the 'VCL standards'

STEP 3 - SITE DESCRIPTIONS: Embellish these simple links with brief, at-a-glance program and site descriptions. Here's some 'we prepared earlier' - you can copy and paste or edit them as you please!

STEP 4 - GRAPHICS/BUTTONS: Changing the simple links (like www.sortitonline.com) into graphics/buttons makes your developing 'menu page' look much more appealing and user-friendly.

We've 'made some of these earlier' too for you to use!

Either ask your IT manager to keep the descriptions close to the buttons (and/or add the descriptions as 'mouse-over text')

MOVING ON - ADD MORE FEATURES:

Now, further content development and integration can follow, like:

- Year Group zones (see the Year 9 zone on this menu example)

- integration with your school software (eg Kudos or JED)

- links with and use of wider school systems (eg bookings, news) - - integration with your wider CEG programme, events and support people!

Get more ideas with our advice on 'moving on from basic virtual provision'!