Mea culpa, I coined the term many years ago, and immediately regreted. It
was at a time that virtual reality was a big thing and we needed a term for
these things that in the US they call learning management systems, and that
we call virtual learning environments.
The reason that I regret the term is that the virtual can be applied to the
learning, rather than the learning envirnoment. If I was able to do it
again then the term would be virtual environment for learning. Although,
perhaps with the new fad for the term augmented reality (no disrespect
meant, but I think that the term will not last) perhaps I would like to use
augmented environments for learning. I don't like online learning
environments as there will be much time when we want to use them (or parts
of them) off line (for instance for recording activity, writing essays etc).
Connectivity is important but I don't think that it should be a defining
character.
Of course, there is also now a move to personal learning environments, and
this should be a marked improvement (if we can resolve issues like IPR).
The name suggesting learner ownership / control of the learning, and I
believe that it is the right way to go.
regards
Tom Franklin
Franklin Consulting
9 Redclyffe Road
Withington
Manchester
M20 3JR
email: [log in to unmask]
phone: 0161 434 3454
mobile: 07989 948 221
web: http://www.franklin-consulting.co.uk/
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