Schools have been using computers since the mid-1980s, and distance learning – via radio or TV, by post, using books, disks or tapes – isn’t new either.
In the Australian outback, for example, they’ve had ‘virtual schools’ via shortwave radio since the 1950s.
Recently, learning systems that bring together many existing web-based technology strands, including email, chat, blogs and wikis, have started to come together and VLE (virtual learning environment) is now the abbreviation du jour in school staff meetings.
If you’re a parent, you’re going to see it in newsletters, at parents’ evenings and you might hear the children mention it. Pupils are unlikely to refer to a VLE though – you’re far more likely to hear about Moodle or Learnwise, Blackboard or Studywiz. We’re going to look at the basics of VLEs and how they’re changing modern education.
In the Australian outback, for example, they’ve had ‘virtual schools’ via shortwave radio since the 1950s.
Recently, learning systems that bring together many existing web-based technology strands, including email, chat, blogs and wikis, have started to come together and VLE (virtual learning environment) is now the abbreviation du jour in school staff meetings.
If you’re a parent, you’re going to see it in newsletters, at parents’ evenings and you might hear the children mention it. Pupils are unlikely to refer to a VLE though – you’re far more likely to hear about Moodle or Learnwise, Blackboard or Studywiz. We’re going to look at the basics of VLEs and how they’re changing modern education.
Related links
Azzurri (Talmos VLE) http://www.azzurrieducation.com/
Birchfield http://www.birchfield.co.uk/
Connetix VLE http://www.connetix.co.uk/
Etech (Studywiz VLE) http://www.etechgroup.co.uk/
Fronter Open Learning Platform http://www.fronter.co.uk/
It’s learning VLE http://www.itsolutions.no/
Learnwise VLE http://www.learnwise.co.uk/
Moodle open source VLE http://moodle.org/
Netmedia (Mygrid4learning suite) http://www.netmedia-ed.co.uk/
Ramesys (Assimilate VLE) http://www.ramesys.com/
RM (Kaleidos VLE) http://www.rm.com/
Serco (Facility Learning Platform) http://www.serco.com/
Viglen (PC hardware and VLE reseller) http://www.viglen.co.uk/
Source: Personal Computer World