1. VIRTUAL LEARNING

2. Technology and Higher Learning While many forms of technology have become mainstream in higher education, not every student is seeking to enroll in distance education courses/degree programs Many students continue to search for interaction with faculty and other students. How can students that are distracted by other life priorities, disabled students and even traditional students achieve better interaction and reach the heart of their learning experience? Through tools that help them learn more efficiently and effectively such as: Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Webinars Blogs Assistive technology These technological pedagogy tools must be user-friendly so that the majority of faculty can use them easily. However, the classroom still needs to be the center of learning interaction and engagement. Growing trend toward “hybrid programs” which combine online and classroom experiences.

3. Hot Trends and Topics in Educational Technology  Assistive Technology  Virtual Learning Environment (Course Management Systems)  Blogs  Webinars  SPAM

4. Virtual Learning  A virtual learning environment (VLE) is a software system designed to facilitate teachers in the management of educational courses for their students.  VLE’S are most often used to supplement the face-to-face classroom.  This computer program facilitates computerized learning or e-learning.  These systems usually run on servers, to facilitate the course to students as internet pages.

5. Such e-learning systems are sometimes also called:  Learning Management Systems (LMS)  Course Management Systems (CMS)  Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS)  Managed Learning Systems (MLE)  Learning Support Systems (LSS)  Learning Platform (LP)

6. Importance of VLE  Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) are an increasingly important part of academic systems in higher education because they play an important role in the academic enterprise of teaching and learning.  VLE’s also help manage the administrative aspects of teaching a course.

7. There are some online learning websites that have to do with Virtual Learning Environment, such as:  Edmodo  Webquest  Second Life  Real English  Planet English  Etc. Please browse for other kinds of online virtual learning and have exposure about them

8. Second Life  Second life was set up by the former chief technical officer of Real Networks (the people who make Real Player).  It is described on the website as a 3D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents.  To use Second Life you will need to download the program from the Second Life website and register for a username and password.  Visit this http://secondlife.com/whatis/http://secondlife.com/whatis/

9.  Once you have done, you can log in and start to explore.  It is a strange virtual world peopled by the same curious mix as exists in real life, so don’t be surprised if you see people fighting, flirting, and doing all the other things you might expect to see outside in the street.

10. For Educational Purposes  Second Life provides an ideal and safe environment in which to work.  Objects reacting as they do in real life can be created, as well as the scenario including Japanese classes, disaster, first aid training, etc.  Have a practice on this Second Life for educational setting.

11. Here are the new groups for discussing and making it 1. Elysa + Faiz 2. Sabrina + Merjen 3. Syaiful + Alfred 4. Fenti + Atika 5. Emi + Allex Good Luck