Does virtual refer to the learning or to the environment in a virtual learning environment?
VLE April 14th, 2010
This is a little distraction the “virtual” is supposed to be the environment and the learning is supposed to be assumed. Like PLEs the element of being virtual is not easily defined. The use of the term VLE in this subject is supposed to refer to the “online” nature of the teaching and learning. That teaching or learning can be in many forms – as we have seen in text or in sound or video or in group or personal interaction. Virtual just means “online” and here differentiated from personal online because virtual should be designed in this subject to cater for a group as opposed to personal or private (but also online or virtual)learning. Do not forget however that personal learning can also be shared learning and can involve groups too. So there is a fair bit of overlap – and maybe even confusion over the real difference between each? Are you confused do you have a clear idea of the difference ? Can you describe the difference in the comments here or back in your own blog spaces.
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5 Comments to “Does virtual refer to the learning or to the environment in a virtual learning environment?”
Well, the difference as I understand it is that your PLE is very much focussed on yourself ONLY, whereas a VLE is a space that caters for a group of learners. Although, strictly speaking, I guess an online PLE technically is virtual…I wonder if these definitions are really all that important? Do they really help us use or construct these environments any better? Oh, think I better write a blog post on that…see if I can!
I’ve always referred to the term ‘virtual’ as online. A virtual environment would be an online environment. The definition of virtual from http://www.yourdictionary.com states that: ‘being such practically or in effect, although not in actual fact’. Therefore online environment may seem and act like a classroom, however they are not. I believe the virtual does not refer to the learning. You are still able to learn by using online tools and programs. Students do not have to be in a classroom setting to learn.
I believe that a Personal Learning environment has the intention of being for an individual’s learning. That person may want to share and have others contribute to their PLE.
The intention of a Virtual Learning Environment would be for the learning of a group of people.
I would define the term “virtual” as “communication from a distance”. It does not only refer to an “environment”, but also something about “space”. The virtual communication can be facilitated by any form of media or technology, Internet to be one of the means.
The ultimate goal of using the virtual environment/space in teaching and learning is that it can go without regard to geography, distance, resources or disability (Kozma & Zucker, 2003). The virtual learning space thus provides an “experience” to all individuals to participate their interaction, and then learning occurs.
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