VLE
Virtual Learning Environments allow students to interact with their studies from the comfort of their homes using secure private virtual internet based environments designed specifically for use in education. VLE’s support teaching and learning by allowing lessons to occur while students and teachers are in multiple locations.
The VLE incorporates teaching and learning tools designed to enhance a student’s learning experience by including computers and the Internet in the learning process. This 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 upon. Students are able to show their work for the rest of the class to see and can be split up into groups in order to work with each other and discuss topics that the teacher introduces. VLE’s also 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) directly to students.
The principal components of a VLE package include curriculum mapping, student tracking, online support for teacher and student, electronic communication and Internet links to outside curriculum resources.