ABSTRACT

Virtual learning environments are widely spread in higher education, yet they are often under utilised by the institutions that employ them. This book addresses the need to move beyond thinking about the VLE simply in terms of the particular package that an institution has adopted, and viewing it as a significant educational technology that will shape much of the teaching and learning process in the coming years.

Considering how virtual learning environments can be successfully deployed and used for effective teaching, it sets out a model for effective use, focussing on pedagogic application rather than a specific technology, and seeks to provide a bridge between pedagogical approaches and the tools educators have at their disposal.

It contains essential advice for those choosing a VLE and encourages all those involved in the deployment of a VLEs to use them more productively in order to create engaging learning experiences.

chapter 2|6 pages

VLEs, democrats and revolutionaries

chapter 3|13 pages

Using common VLE tools

chapter 4|14 pages

Beyond the VLE

chapter 5|15 pages

Choosing a VLE

chapter 6|14 pages

MLEs and metaphors

chapter 7|14 pages

Standards and specifications

chapter 8|10 pages

Learning Design

chapter 9|15 pages

The open source option

chapter 10|9 pages

Personalization and VLEs

chapter 11|9 pages

Affordances and patterns

chapter 12|11 pages

Case studies

chapter 13|9 pages

Technology succession

chapter 14|16 pages

VLE 2.0