Virtual learning environment

A virtual learning environment (VLE) is a Web-based platform for the digital aspects of courses of study, usually within educational institutions. VLEs typically: allow participants to be organized into cohorts, groups and roles; present resources, activities and interactions within a course structure; provide for the different stages of assessment; report on participation; and have some level of integration with other institutional systems.[1][2] For those who edit them VLEs may have a de facto role as authoring and design environments.[3] VLEs have been adopted by almost all higher education institutions in the anglosphere.[4]

Major components

The following are the basic or the main components required for a virtual learning environment or online education curriculum to take place[5]

A VLE may include some or all of the following elements:

A VLE is normally not designed for a specific course or subject, but is capable of supporting multiple courses over the full range of the academic program, giving a consistent interface within the institution and—to some degree—with other institutions using the system. The virtual learning environment supports an exchange of information between a user and the learning institute he or she is currently enrolled in through digital mediums like e-mail, chat rooms, web 2.0 sites or a forum thereby helping convey information to any part of the world with just a single click.[6]

Similar terms

Computerized learning systems have been referred to as electronic educational technology, e-learning, learning platform or learning management system. The major difference is that VLE and LMS are applications, whereas the Learning Platform shares characteristics with an Operating System (or CoursePark Platform) where different educational web based applications can be run on the platform.

The terms virtual learning environment (VLE) and learning platform are generically used to describe a range of integrated web based applications that provide teachers, learners, parents and others involved in education with information, tools and resources to support and enhance educational delivery and management. These terms are broadly synonymous with 'managed learning environments' (MLEs) and 'managed virtual learning environments' (MVLEs).

The applications that form part of these online services can include web pages, email, message boards and discussion forums, text and video conferencing, shared diaries, online social areas, as well as assessment, management and tracking tools.[7][8]

The term learning platform refers to a range of tools and services often described using terms such as educational extranet, VLE, LMS, ILMS and LCMS providing learning and content management. The term learning platform also includes the personal learning environment (PLE) or personal online learning space (POLS), including tools and systems that allow the development and management of eportfolios.

The specific functionality associated with any implementation of a learning platform will vary depending upon the needs of the users and can be achieved by bringing together a range of features from different software solutions either commercially available, open source, self-built or available as free to use web services. These tools are delivered together via a cohesive user environment with a single entry point, through integration achieved by technical standards.

The term LMS can also mean "library management system" (which is now more commonly referred to as integrated library system, or ILS).

Purpose

VLE learning platforms commonly allow:

In principle a learning platform is a safe and secure environment that is reliable, available online and accessible to a wide user base. A user should be able to move between learning platforms throughout their life with no loss of access to their personal data. The concept of a learning platform accommodates a continuously evolving description of functionality changing to meet the needs of the user. Becta publishes Functional Requirements and Technical Specifications that give a more precise description of how a learning platform may be constructed.

Student accessibility features

A virtual learning environment offers a learning system with many components, with added advantage of computer based learning and teaching space. One of the process to enhance the learning experience was the virtual resource room, which is student centered, works in a self paced format, and which encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning. In virtual mode, the materials are available in the form of computer aided learning program, lecture notes, special self-assessment module. Another mechanism for student to student interactions in a form of simple discussion forum is by using a novel link Cyber tutor. This allows the students with an email account to connect with course content and the staff with their doubts and related questions. The students are able to contact the staff without a face to face visit which saves the on campus time. The staff remains anonymous which allows for the several staff to act as a cyber tutor during the course. The student do not remain anonymous although their email address are cryptic enough to mask their identity. Students can discuss about the exams, lab reports, posters, lectures, technical help with downloading materials. The evaluation of the use of Virtual resource room is done by surveys, focus groups and online feedback forms. The students have 24 hours of access to the learning material in a day which suits their varied life styles. They also find the learning materials to be very useful for many different reasons.[9][10]

Justification

Institutions of higher and further education use VLEs in order to:

Controversy

Both supporters and critics of virtual learning environments recognize the importance of the development of 21st century skills such as, cultural and global awareness, self-direction, creativity, communication, and knowledge application;[11] however, the controversy lies in whether or not virtual learning environments are practical for both teachers and students.

Critics of VLE worry about the disconnect that can occur between the teacher and students, as well as between student to student. Virtual Learning Environments does not provide students with face-to-face interaction and therefore, can deprive students of opportunities for better communication and deeper understanding. Supporters, however, find that Virtual learning environments satisfy the needs of the 21st century learners. Virtual Learning Environments enable many 21st century skills, including:

Standards

Most VLEs support the Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) as a standard, but there are no commonly used standards that define how the learner's performance within a course can be transferred from one VLE to another.

There are also standards for sharing content such as those defined by the IMS Global Consortium. Local bodies such as in the schools sector in the UK the DCSF via Becta have additionally defined a learning platform "conformance framework" to encourage interoperability.

Virtual learning environments are not limited only to students and learners in university level studies. There are many virtual learning environments for students in grades K-12. These systems are also particularly suited for the needs of independent educational programs, charter schools and home-based education.

As virtual teaching and learning becomes more deeply integrated into curricula, it is important to assess the quality and rigor of virtual programs. The Virtual Learning Program Standards provide a framework for identifying key areas for effective teaching and learning in Virtual Learning Programs throughout the Northeast and the nation.[13]

Assessments

Educators need benchmark tools to assess a virtual learning environment as a viable means of education.

Walker developed a survey instrument known as the Distance Education Learning Environment Survey (DELES), which is accessible to students anywhere.[14] DELES examines instructor support, student interaction and collaboration, personal relevance, authentic learning, active learning, and student autonomy.

Harnish and Reeves provide a systematic criteria approach based on training, implementation, system usage, communication, and support.[15]

Systems available

There are many open source and proprietary VLEs available for use. On-demand e-learning services are also a popular choice because they can be deployed in minutes and do not require instructors and institutions to run their own servers.

Prominent open source VLEs are used by schools, businesses, and training organizations and include: Moodle, eFront, OLAT, Sakai, ILIAS, ATutor, Fedena, openelms, Claroline, and Dokeos.[16] Several also now have paid "Pro" accounts with even more available features.

Commercial VLEs include such favorite as Blackboard, Lotus Workplace, COSE, and WebCT.[17]

Many VLEs are placed on a web server. In a typical VLE there are one or more programs or languages that provides the user (Teacher-Student) interface, and which interacts with a database. For example, a VLE might use PHP as its web language/program, with MySQL as a database.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Britain, Sandy; Liber, Oleg (1999). "A Framework for Pedagogical Evaluation of Virtual Learning Environments" (PDF). JISC Technology Applications Programme (Report 41). Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  2. ↑ Weller, Martin (2007). Virtual learning environments: using, choosing and developing your VLE. London: Routledge. pp. 4–5. ISBN 9780415414302.
  3. ↑ Masterman, Liz (2013). "The challenge of teachers' design practice". Written at London. In Beetham, Helen; Sharpe, Rhona. Rethinking pedagogy in a digital age. Oxford: Routledge. p. 65. ISBN 978-0-415-53997-5.
  4. ↑ "LMS Data – The First Year Update". Edutechnica. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  5. ↑ http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/virtual-learning-environment-VLE-or-managed-learning-environment-MLE
  6. ↑ http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:603927/FULLTEXT01.pdf
  7. ↑ "Briefing Paper 1: MLEs and VLEs Explained". JISC. 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  8. ↑ JISC. (2002). "Inform1." Retrieved 28 August 2007, from http://www.jisc.ac.uk/publications/publications/pub_inform1.aspx.
  9. ↑ Peat, Mary (July 2000). "Towards First Year Biology online: a virtual learning environment". Educational Technology & Society 3 (3): 203–207.
  10. ↑ Xu, Yan; Park, Hyungsung; Baek, Youngkyun (October 2011). "A New Approach Toward Digital Storytelling: An Activity Focused on Writing Self-efficacy in a Virtual Learning Environment". Educational Technology & Society 14 (4): 181–191.
  11. ↑ Reese, Sasha (September 2015). "Online learning environments in higher education: Connectivism vs. dissociation". Education Information Technology. doi:10.1007/s10639-013-9303-7.
  12. ↑ Posey, Burgess, Eason, & Jones. "Advantages and Disadvantages of the Virtual Classroom and the Role of the Teacher" (PDF).
  13. ↑ Davis, C. (April 2014). Virtual Learning Rubric. Retrieved from http://www.doe.mass.edu/odl/standards/VLPrubric.pdf
  14. ↑ Walker, S (2003), Development and Validation of an Instrument for Assessing Distance Education Learning Environments in Higher Education: The Distance Education Learning Environments Survey (DELES) (unpublished doctoral thesis), Western Australia: Curtin University of Technology.
  15. ↑ Harnish, D; Reeves, P (2000), "Issues in the evaluation of large-scale two-way interactive distance learning systems", International Journal of Educational Telecommunications 6 (3): 267–81.
  16. ↑ Faruque, S (2012), "10 Alternatives to Moodle for e-learning software, LMS Platform using open-source/GPL", Open Source Open Standard
  17. ↑ Holyoke, M (2011), "What is virtual learning environment (VLE) or managed learning environment (MLE)", WhatIs.com

Further reading

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