Managed learning environment

A managed learning environment (also known by its acronym, MLE; hereinafter, MLE) is a computer-based ecosystem that supports learning activities such as assessment, collaboration, communication, e-portfolio building, hands-on training, learning path tracking, on-the-job training, etc.

1 MLE vs similar terms
2 Learning purposes
3 Learners' advantages
4 Core learner tools
5 Promising learner tools
6 Business feasibility
7 Management of learner experience
8 System architectures
- 8.1 Standalone application
- 8.2 Federated services
9 Software
10 Implementation projects
- 10.1 Student assistance
- 10.2 Project assessment
11 Drafts
12 See also

MLE vs similar terms

The term, managed learning environment, contains some ambiguity since the first word, managed, could grammatically refer to either learning or environment. MLE is a tool designed to create a managed environment for learning. On the contrary, management of one's learning is a task of educational service providers, learners, or both, and not MLE's.

VLE

A virtual learning environment (VLE) can be considered a subsystem of MLE. Literally, MLE assumes a wider infrastructure and/or a wider scale than VLE. For instance, VLE tends to be web-based, whereas MLE can be hosted locally, on the web, and/or using some hybrid approach.

More importantly, the term, VLE, suggests just virtual or remote environment. In the meanwhile, MLE may refer to both virtual and physical spaces such as laboratory or apprentice workplace in which learning takes place.

In comparison with MLR, a virtual learning environment, as a term, contains even more ambiguity. According to Wikipedia,

a more correct term may be a virtual environment for learning, rather than virtual learning environment. This removes any ambiguities and identifies that it is the environment which is virtual and not the learning. The term virtual may also contribute to confusion, suggesting that the learning is not real or authentic.

LMS

Main wikipage: Learning management system

Presumably, MLE is bigger than a learning management system (LMS), which is supposed to deal with formal training only. However, this meaning difference is rarely the case.

Geographic differences affect usages of these two terms greater than literal meanings. In the United States, LMS is used more frequently than in Europe. The Europeans tend to use MLE and VLE particularly because the acronym, LMS, in Europe usually stands for library management system. In the United States, this system is commonly called integrated library system (ILS).

CMS

Traditionally, the corporate training service providers in the United States tend to use one term, learning management system (LMS), while the academia prefers another term, a course management system (CMS). However, based on the meaning, CMS shall support standalone courses, whereas LMS shall also support learning throughout various courses and pure assessments outside of any courses. Presumably, MLE shall be wider than either course management system or learning management system, but practices rarely support that point since the terms are used interchangeably.

Other terms used

Listed alphabetically, similar terms also include e-learning system, learning content management system (LCMS), learning support system (LSS), managed learning platform (MLP), online learning centre (OLC), OpenCourseWare (OCW). They may or may not have the same meaning as MLE.

Learning purposes

Distance learning

It models real-world education by integrating a set of equivalent virtual concepts for tests, homework, classes, classrooms, etc., and perhaps even museums and other external academic resources.

In some programs, such as Elluminate, a virtual learning environment can be similar to a face-to-face classroom environment in that it allows direct communication with the teacher. Students can use emoticons to “raise their hand,” show that they are confused, show that they understand what the teacher is saying, and even give applause for something that the teacher says. Students are also able to talk to the teacher when called on. In many of these virtual learning environments the students are able to write on the “virtual classroom chalkboard.” This allows them to show their work for the rest of the class to see. Students can also be split up into groups in order to work with each other and discuss topics that the teacher introduces. Many virtual learning environments give teachers the ability to share multimedia files such as video and audio files as well as the ability to transfer important documents (Word, PDF,…etc.) directly to students.

Enhancement for the classroom

While originally created for distance education, VLEs are now most often used to supplement traditional face to face classroom activities, commonly known as Blended Learning. These systems usually run on servers, to serve the course to students Multimedia and/or web pages.

VLEs are often used in schools and other educational establishments in order to make the learning experience more interactive.

Support with brick-and-mortar

Special programs can and often do enhance virtual learning environments. While learning virtually, there is still something that needs to be said for hands-on learning. These programs are as unique almost as customizable as the school itself. Designed to foster interconnectivity among students and families while providing opportunities not traditionally found in public schools, special programs can challenge, entertain, and educate while fulfilling mandatory educational requirements. These programs include: High School Clubs, Family Link (a parent and student group that organizes events such as bowling nights, hayrides, mom's day out, movies, picnics, and coffee house nights just to name a few), PA Cyber ++ (for Art & Music outreach in the community), the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) Program, the STARR (Student Tasks of Academic Rigor and Responsibility) Program, Title I Coaching (a federally funded skills-based re-teaching) Program, and the Student Assistance Program (SAP). For more information on these programs in a specific cyber charter school, log onto PA Cyber's homepage.www.pacyber.org

Re-engineering of the school

For now, MLEs are more frequently utilized in distance learning, but in the future they may be used equally often when integrated with a physical learning environment.

The virtual classrooms also provide more technology features than a traditional school setting. Nellie states, “Technology can cater to these neuroscience brain-based findings in the computer lab as well as for online learning courses. Various Microsoft tools such as PowerPoint presentations, Excel, Word processor and other software with multimedia functions can be used by the teacher and students instead of using conventional outdated class tools” (Nellie Deutsch, 2003). One specific example that can used is a PowerPoint presentation for class. Creating an “About Me” lesson allows the students to express themselves through PowerPoint. By doing this the students were able to learn how to use PowerPoint to expand their learning.

In 'Virtually There', a book and DVD pack given out freely to schools by the Yorkshire and Humber Grid for Learning Foundation (YHGfL), Professor Stephen Heppell writes in the foreword:

Learning is breaking out of the narrow boxes that it was trapped in during the 20th century; teachers' professionalism, reflection and ingenuity are leading learning to places that genuinely excite this new generation of connected young school students — and their teachers too. VLEs are helping to make sure that their learning is not confined to a particular building, or restricted to any single location or moment.

Learners' advantages

The advantage of this educational tool raises its popularity daily because of the following:

Accessibility

With regard to their time availability, fully-functioning MLE's services can be divided in two parts:
1. Asynchronous services don't require the customers to participate in real time. These services include examinations, pre-recorded lectures, forum and most of project contributions, etc. These services shall be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2. Synchronous services require their customers to participate in real time. These services include live webinars, seminars, lectures, etc.
With regard to their geographic availability, fully-functioning MLE's services shall be accessible both on and off-campus. This feature enables MLE's clients to deliver educational services to both traditional onsite learners and those who cannot regularly visit the campus due to geographic restrictions.

Interactivity

There is much evidence to show that students benefit from actively engaging with their course[9]. More specifically, the advantages relate to feedback, practice and customization.

Communication

This element is must be increased in a VLE. It helps the student to feel part of a learning community. Tools used are bulletin boards, being able to “play-back” a session, chatting, email, and instruction & announcements are current due to the live instructor.[10]

Peer pressure reduction

Core learner tools

Any MLE is a set of teaching and learning components designed to enhance a student's learning experience. All of the tools tends to be Web 2.0 and designed for rich 2-way interaction. All these facilities should be capable of being hyperlinked together. Nonetheless, every set of those components is usually unique and depends on individual needs.