Virtual Learning Environments (VLE)
Created | Updated Jul 13, 2003
The Internet offers such potential benefits as flexible access and new ways of communicating and assessing for students and lecturers. However, for the lecturer, creating Internet resources that are stimulating, appealing, easy to use and educationally sound is time consuming and requires considerable expertise. VLEs allow lecturers to create resources quickly and without the need to develop technical skills. Typically Web-based, VLEs provide an integrated set of Internet tools, enable easy upload of materials and offer a consistent look and feel that can be customised by the user. Popular commercial VLEs currently being used in UK HE include Teknical and others. Such VLEs in UK HE are being used mainly to supplement or support existing programmes as opposed to delivering complete online courses.
The tools and features that comprise a VLE typically include the following:
* Communication between tutors and students – e.g. e-mail, discussion board and virtual chat facilities, which support various types of communication: synchronous and asynchronous, one-to-one, one-to-many and many-to-many.
* Self-assessment and summative assessment – e.g. multiple-choice assessment with automated marking and immediate feedback.
Delivery of learning resources and materials – e.g. through the provision of lecture notes and supporting materials, images and video clips, links to other Web resources, online discussion and assessment activities.
* Shared work group areas – allows designated groups of students to upload and share files as well as communicate with each other.
Support for students – could take the form of communication with tutors or other students, provision of supporting materials such as course information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
* Management and tracking of students – e.g. usernames and passwords to ensure that only registered students can access the course; analysis of assessment undertaken by students or their use of materials within the VLE.
* Student tools – e.g. individual student webpages, ‘drop boxes’ for the upload of coursework, electronic diaries and calendars.
Consistent and customisable look and feel – a standard user interface that is easy for students to understand and use. Courses can be individualised with colours, graphics and logos, but the essential mode of use remains constant.
* Navigation structure – structured delivery of information supported by a standard navigation toolbar. Most VLE software assumes that students will work their way through linear sequences of instructional material. Others are more flexible and will accommodate alternative information structures, e.g. multi-path case studies.
The tools and features that comprise a VLE typically include the following:
* Communication between tutors and students – e.g. e-mail, discussion board and virtual chat facilities, which support various types of communication: synchronous and asynchronous, one-to-one, one-to-many and many-to-many.
* Self-assessment and summative assessment – e.g. multiple-choice assessment with automated marking and immediate feedback.
Delivery of learning resources and materials – e.g. through the provision of lecture notes and supporting materials, images and video clips, links to other Web resources, online discussion and assessment activities.
* Shared work group areas – allows designated groups of students to upload and share files as well as communicate with each other.
Support for students – could take the form of communication with tutors or other students, provision of supporting materials such as course information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
* Management and tracking of students – e.g. usernames and passwords to ensure that only registered students can access the course; analysis of assessment undertaken by students or their use of materials within the VLE.
* Student tools – e.g. individual student webpages, ‘drop boxes’ for the upload of coursework, electronic diaries and calendars.
Consistent and customisable look and feel – a standard user interface that is easy for students to understand and use. Courses can be individualised with colours, graphics and logos, but the essential mode of use remains constant.
* Navigation structure – structured delivery of information supported by a standard navigation toolbar. Most VLE software assumes that students will work their way through linear sequences of instructional material. Others are more flexible and will accommodate alternative information structures, e.g. multi-path case studies.
