VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

Virtual Learning Environments



Differences between Hardware and Software3

Types of Software Programmes3

Major Types of Software3

Different Types of Application Software4

The Context4

The COSE VLE and Learning6

Cognitive Apprenticeship and COSE7

Organisation of Learning in COSE9

Virtual Learning Environments

Differences between Hardware and Software

Computer hardware is any physical device, something that you are able to touch and software is a collection of instructions and code installed into the computer and cannot be touched. For example, the computer monitor you are using to read this text on and the mouse you are using to navigate this web page is computer hardware (Bangert, 2001, pp.25).. The Internet browser that allowed you to visit this page and the operating system that the browser is running on is software.

Types of Software Programmes

Computer software is defined as a set of programs and procedures that are intended to perform specific tasks on a computer system. A software program is a set of instructions that are aimed at changing the state of computer hardware. Other than the OS, there are options that can be installed onto the computer. New software is written daily. Some of it requires a payment and license agreement, some allow demos of the software before buying the licensed version and others are open source, which can be used for free and even allow viewing of the written program and code changes.

Major Types of Software

Computer software systems are classified into three main types, namely, system software, programming software and application software. System software comprises device drivers, operating systems, servers and other such software components, which help the programmer abstract away from the memory and hardware features of the system.

Application software utilizes the capacities of a computer directly for a dedicated task. Application software is able to manipulate text, numbers and graphics.

Different Types of Application Software

Word Processing Software

Database Software

Spreadsheet Software

Multimedia Software

Presentation Software

Enterprise Software

Information Worker Software

Educational Software

Simulation Software

Content Access Software

Application Suites: An application suite is an important type of application software. It consists of a group of applications combined to perform related functions. OpenOffice.org and Microsoft Office are the best examples of this type of application software. These application suites, as you know, come as bundles of applications like word processors, spreadsheets, presentation software, etc. Applications in the suite can work together or operate on each other's files.

The Context

A plethora of names has arisen to describe the software and technologies which are being developed to provide for distributed learning. For the purpose of this discussion, a distinction will be drawn between two types of system (BECTA, 2001). Firstly, a "Virtual Learning Environment" (VLE) or "Learning Management System" designed to act as a focus for students learning activities and their management and facilitation, along with the provision of content and resources required to help make the activities successful. Secondly, a "Managed Learning Environment" (MLE) which includes all of the wider features of enrolment, course options management, student record and profile keeping, the wider management, interchange and publication of content, and the features needed to allow learners to move or progress between courses and ...