Category: VLE Software

Trying to provide a comprehensive training programme within one huge firm or establishment is unbelievably complex and utterly bewildering at times;  each elearning programme needs certain electronic tools within the system and virtual learning environments .  There is a minor area of confict in the rationale of vles in that open learning systems such as home study university – one particularly massive one comes to mind, work on the basis of utilising open technologies such as blogs and vlogs and tend to see standard vles as a purely closed environment, stifling innovation.  There are often open debates to discuss the merits and otherwise of these software platforms.

There is no doubt that vles create a baseline  for competencies in elearning for both the educator and the educated – ensuring there is a common experience to look to and build on.  Most of what happens in open education can be defined in terms of contrast with this experience or at least beginning to build upon it.   As well as providing a core set of competencies, vles provide a further platform for the hosting of educational projects.  the main ou open learning project is delivered via one of these vle platforms for non simultaneous content hosting a learning.

We all need to have a leg up in our career at some time or other.  The same goes for students, in almost any field.  The use of VLEs will create much motivation with self learning experiences – after all it stands for virtual learning environment.  This has been a game changer for the learning industry.   For many, the virtual aspect creates a brain fog that frightens the life out of them and makes them think back to the terrifying days of classroom and a teacher with that unbending rod of iron.  But in fact a VLE does not replace the classroom, it adds to it, enhancing the student’s experience by stretching their imagination and of course this can happen to the tutor also.  From a purely technical view, a vle is a specially designed space that looks just like an architectural building.  If  you remember back to messy desk enviornment – ink stains, coffee rings, soggy notepads and then imagine everything neat and tidy and instantly useable on a laptop, clear room for learning without clutter.   Assessments are completed within this platform and so the tutor can move frely between assessments without having to wait for the student to arrive with physical work.   Students interat with their tutors on a more grown up and level footing.