VLE SOFTWARE PLATFORMS

Virtual Learning Environment Software Platforms

Executive Summaryiii

Introduction1

Discussion: Identifying VLEs1

Open Source Software Programs3

Moodle3

Function4

Advantages4

Disadvantages5

Market Shares5

Skill-Soft6

Functions6

Advantages6

Disadvantages7

Market Share7

Edmodo8

Functions8

Advantages8

Disadvantages9

Market Share9

Conclusion10

References11

Bibliography12

Appendix13

Executive Summary

This assignment carries a thorough study of VLEs being used which are proprietary and open source platforms. Their functions, advantages and disadvantages, and market shares are discussed via thorough research and related study. As it is the era of technology and advancement, people are more and more diverted towards VLEs, which provide them ease in access and understandings. Therefore, the content available and the human resource management should be user-friendly as much as possible.

Virtual Learning Environment Software Platforms

Introduction

Virtual learning Environment is software which is designed for facilitating the lecturers in managing the learning courses for students. It is a collection of integrated tools enabling the online management of delivering course and accessing the resources, together with group discussions and assessment. Most VLEs have the ability to track the progress of learners along with the monitoring by the lectures and also the learners. The software is mainly used to have an online face-to-face classroom based learning and teaching. The software is available in many forms; it can be bought, or a supplier can support it, or it may be home-based or free open source software developed by an institution (www.rsc-sw-Scotland.ac).

The different types of software being used for VLE have similarities and variations in their functions, with less or more advantages comparatively as VLE is widely being accessed with the emerging of new platforms on a regular basis.

Discussion: Identifying VLEs

As a matter of fact that a variety of VLEs is available online, selection of VLE and its installation requires a well-defined and articulated strategic approach in terms of teaching and learning. VLEs do provide the specific components flexibly to both the learners and teachers. The components provided are shown as,

Figure 1 (http://recap.ltd)

Main concerns are associated with the aspects of technicality and pedagogy in the selection of the software with the hardware. The technical considerations involve compatibility of the software with the operating system being used on the computer server. There are VLEs which once installed on a server, are then used by all the users through internet or even intranet. It provides an easy access on the operating systems used nowadays like UNIX and Windows. However, valuable consideration is required in case of IT related expertise. Because of its internet-based property, it most often performs well with any web browser available on the operating system.

The pedagogical considerations carry great importance than the technicality as the user's intentions for teaching and learning are the most important to be considered. The purpose of the VLEs being used should be clearly identified in terms of supporting, complementing and extending the learning activities. The provided tools and their flexibility in design management are another area of concern. The course presentation in variant ways, resources in textual, pictorial, audio and visual forms, use of notice boards, forums or e-mail, assessment activities in different styles, justified access to even schools, and active network availability to both the lecturers and the learners need to ...