VLEs, PLNs & Learning Platforms
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BECTA's website has a number of items about Learning Platforms (it uses that term as opposed to VLE: virtual learning environment). Use BECTA's internal search engine and you will find lots of information. For example learning platforms: how can they help you?.A good blog about learning platforms / VLEs (specifically Moodle but very informative on VLEs generally) is Changing the game? by Ian Usher (@iusher on twitter). Here's another blog learning with 'e's that I like by Steve Wheeler (@timbuckteeth on twitter) that also offers plenty of ideas and information.
There is some debate about the longevity of the VLE. Some think that the VLE is valuable in an institution but more useful is the do-it-yourself Personal Learning Network, where learners use web2.0 tools and apps to put together a valuable network of online spaces and platforms. The debate might be over-polarised, perhaps, but it is fascinating.
Chris Smith's Personal learning Network is hosted on his website, but he says the PLN could be replaced with a social bookmarking site to keep it all linked together. His PLN can be found here and scrolling down the page gives a great deal of information and, I think, inspiration.
For more ideas there is a interesting Ning social network site called The Educator's PLN that Professor of Education Tom Whitby (@tomwhitby on twitter) works on. My elsewhere page in this website could become a PLN of sorts.
Here are a few links that have helped me come up to speed the so called death of the VLE debate.
James Clay (@jamesclay on twitter) in his blog post its not dead yet
Steve Wheeler in his blog post Two Fingered Salute (which includes some fascinating information on the history of that term) and also Steve's post Dead personal.
Daniel Kennedy (@djkennedy on twitter) has written [on VLEs] here to stay, or on the brink of demise? in an article from The Plymouth Student Educator, 2009, 1 (1), 58-66
and also this blog post.
Lastly, Fiona Aubrey-Smith (@fionaAS on twitter) has also set up a twitter group called learning platform ideas. The group is about teaching and learning and not about any one VLE/LP product.
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