Virtual Learning Envirionments
A Framework for Pedagogical Evaluation of Virtual Learning Environments
Sandy Britain
Oleg Liber
University of Wales – Bangor
A Framework for Pedagogical Evaluation of Virtual Learning Environments
Sandy Britain
University of Wales – Bangor
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge several people who assisted with the work involved in producing this report.
Firstly we would like to thank all the institutions and in particular the individuals who returned the VLE survey questionnaires. The information we received from those sources was invaluable.
Secondly we would like to thank the organisations that produce the sample VLEs included in this report for freely giving their time to supply demonstrations, information and discuss details of their products.
We would like to acknowledge our colleague Bill Olivier, many of whose ideas have influenced the writing of this report.
Finally we would like to acknowledge the support of JISC and in particular JTAP manager Tom Franklin for their support of our work.
Executive Summary
Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are learning management software systems that synthesise the functionality of computer-mediated communications software (e-mail, bulletin boards, newsgroups etc) and on-line methods of delivering course materials (e.g. the WWW). To date, several different packages have appeared from both leading commercial vendors and university-based projects. Other systems are currently under development.
Most of these systems are intended not simply to reproduce the classroom environment -‘on-line’, but to use the technology to provide learners with new tools to facilitate their learning. They aim to accommodate a wider range of learning styles and goals, to encourage collaborative and resource-based learning and to allow greater sharing and re-use of resources.
Most of the systems currently
Sandy Britain
Oleg Liber
University of Wales – Bangor
A Framework for Pedagogical Evaluation of Virtual Learning Environments
Sandy Britain
University of Wales – Bangor
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge several people who assisted with the work involved in producing this report.
Firstly we would like to thank all the institutions and in particular the individuals who returned the VLE survey questionnaires. The information we received from those sources was invaluable.
Secondly we would like to thank the organisations that produce the sample VLEs included in this report for freely giving their time to supply demonstrations, information and discuss details of their products.
We would like to acknowledge our colleague Bill Olivier, many of whose ideas have influenced the writing of this report.
Finally we would like to acknowledge the support of JISC and in particular JTAP manager Tom Franklin for their support of our work.
Executive Summary
Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) are learning management software systems that synthesise the functionality of computer-mediated communications software (e-mail, bulletin boards, newsgroups etc) and on-line methods of delivering course materials (e.g. the WWW). To date, several different packages have appeared from both leading commercial vendors and university-based projects. Other systems are currently under development.
Most of these systems are intended not simply to reproduce the classroom environment -‘on-line’, but to use the technology to provide learners with new tools to facilitate their learning. They aim to accommodate a wider range of learning styles and goals, to encourage collaborative and resource-based learning and to allow greater sharing and re-use of resources.
Most of the systems currently
References: Collis, B. (1996). Tele-learning in a Digital World. Thomson Computer Press, London. Crawley, R.M.(1999) ‘Evaluating CSCL - Theorists ' & Users ' Perspectives’ http://www.bton.ac.uk/cscl/jtap/paper1.htm Landon, B Liber, O. (1998) ‘Structuring institutions to exploit learning technologies: a cybernetic model’. Alt-J 6 (1). Mason, R. (1998) ‘Models of Online Courses’. ALN Magazine 2 (2). http://www.aln.org/alnweb/magazine/vol2_issue2/Masonfinal.htm Milligan, C National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education: Higher Education in the Learning Society, 1997: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/ncihe/ Appendix 1