# Virtual learning environment (VLE) for the internship process between Savonia and ISCISA students.

> VLE integrating Moodle and 360° images enhances international internship learning.

## Overview
In an increasingly globalized and digitally connected world, Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and other digital learning platforms have emerged as vital tools for enhancing international academic collaboration and experiential learning. One such initiative is the development of a VLE designed to support the internship process between students from Savonia University of Applied Sciences in Finland and the Instituto Superior de Ciências de Saúde (ISCISA) in Mozambique. 

By integrating digital tools with professional training, the VLE provides a structured and flexible framework that enhances the quality and accessibility of internships for students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds. This article is part of a series developed on the Erasmus+ Global project that aimed to design and set up a VLE, create materials to prepare students and teachers for internships, and create cultural competence for online learning material. The project aims to break geographical gaps in education, foster intercultural exchange in health care education, and streamline the supervision, communication, and assessment of internships.

## VLE Components
The virtual learning environment is a digital ecosystem designed to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes by integrating several technologies:

*   **Moodle Learning Platform:** An open-source learning management system (LMS) serving as the central hub for course management (scheduling, assignments, grading), communication tools (forums, messages, feedback), and integration with multimedia and plugins.
*   **360-Degree Images:** Panoramic images that allow users to look around in all directions, simulating real-world environments like labs, field sites, or clinical settings. This increases the sense of presence and realism, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
*   **Interactive Learning Material:** Multimedia content including videos, quizzes, clickable diagrams, drag-and-drop exercises, simulations, and interactive case studies.

## Erasmus+ Global Project Collaboration
The Erasmus+ Global project offered a unique opportunity for teachers and students to develop VLE competencies during mobilities and virtual meetings. ISCISA teachers were introduced to e-learning environments from Savonia, such as the Edunia Moodle platform. A joint Moodle platform was established, containing various information related to cultural and professional competencies: [https://edunia.savonia.fi/course/view.php?id=19](https://edunia.savonia.fi/course/view.php?id=19)

## Enhancing Moodle with ThingLink
To support experiential learning, the project utilizes **ThingLink**, a digital platform that allows users to upload 360-degree images and enrich them with interactive tags. These tags can contain:
*   **Texts:** Descriptions of equipment, procedures, or protocols.
*   **Images:** High-resolution photos of tools, lab setups, or staff members.
*   **Videos:** Tutorials, walkthroughs, or interviews with professionals.
*   **Audios:** Narrations or explanations to guide learners.
*   **Hyperlinks:** Direct links to Moodle resources, PDFs, or relevant external websites.

ThingLink content is embedded into Moodle using iframes or LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability), allowing students to access interactive scenes directly within their course modules.

## Implementation and Pilot Phases
The VLE has reached its first functional version, which is now available for use in internship programs. Feedback from the initial working group—educators, technical staff, and coordinators—has been positive, confirming the platform's accessibility and support for on-site activities.

The project is currently in a pilot phase:
1.  **Student Phase:** Observing how learners from Savonia and ISCISA interact with the VLE to identify areas for improvement.
2.  **Teacher Phase:** Exploring how academic staff engage with the platform for supervision, resource sharing, and feedback.

Continuous feedback is being collected via surveys, direct observation, and user reports to guide the ongoing optimization of the platform.

## Authors
*   **Leonel Monjane**, Senior Lecturer, MSc, The head of licentiates degree program in BLS, radiography, and Pathologic Anatomy at Instituto Superior de Ciências de Saúde (ISCISA), leonelfidalgomonjane@gmail.com
*   **Anssi Mahonen**, Senior Lecturer, PhD, The head of master degree program in BLS and radiography, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, School of Health Care, Anssi.Mahonen@savonia.fi