1. MLE or VLE - is that the question? Moira Bent Newcastle University Library

2. What’s in an acronym? w MLE w VLE w LMS w IMS w ALN

3. What’s in an acronym? w MLE w VLE w LMS w IMS w ALN w managed learning environment w virtual learning environment w learning management system w instructional management system w asynchronous learning network

4. Managed Learning Environment “ A system that uses technology to enhance and make more effective the network of relationships between learners, teachers and organisers of learning, through integrated support for richer communications and activities”

5. Characteristics of a MLE w Encompasses all activity in university w Coherent coordinated infrastructure w Info strategy/ T&L strategy w Interoperability between systems w Includes administrative info w Distributed resources w Support and guidance w Content management

6. Virtual Learning Environment “Components in which tutors and learners participate in on-line interactions, including on-line learning” “a focus for student learning activities and their management and facilitation, along with provision of content and resources”

7. Characteristics of a VLE w Software packages which support on- line learning w part of a MLE w concerned with content, communication at programme level w require few additional skills

8. Reproduced with permission of Becta

9. Examples of VLEs w WebCT w Lotus Learning Space w Campus Pipeline w Oracle Learning Server w Blackboard w Wolf w COSE

10. Issues for Libraries w What is our role in MLE/VLE? w What skills do we need? w Management of resources w Grey Intranet w Interoperability of LMS w Use of VLEs for information skills w Attitudes- management/vendors w Copyright

11. “The hard truth is that without an MLE/VLE a University is not sustainable far into the 21st century” JISC MLE Workshop