Post on 31-Dec-2015
description
Managed Learning Environments
Paul HudsonLearning Technology Development Unit
University of Hertfordshire
Contents
• What is an MLE?
• Components of an MLE
• Off-the-peg MLE solutions
• StudyNet
The big statement…..
• “The hard truth is that without a Managed Learning Environment a University is not sustainable far into the 21st century”
• JISC (being melodramatic)
What is an MLE?
• The term Managed Learning Environment (MLE) refers to the whole range of information systems and processes of a college (including its VLE if it has one) that contribute directly, or indirectly, to learning and the management of that learning
JISC (their definition on 18/10/2003)
JISC’s MLE components diagram
So what does it boil down to?
• Management Information System (Genesis)
• Library Management System (Voyager)
• A Virtual Learning Environment driven by your MIS system
Proprietary vs Bought-in
Integration with existing systems
‘Best of breed’
Speed of Implementation
Updated to reflect UH priorities
Lack of flexibility can force change
Many vendors are development partners
Speed of implementation
Less long term maintenance
Features of a VLE
• News and information• Teaching Resource creation• Assignments• Group Work• Reading Lists• Class management facilities
Blackboard
• Offers all the required VLE facilities• Virtual Whiteboards & Chat• Simple interface• Fairly easy to use• Can buy in ‘professional’ Blackboard
courses• Expandable via Blackboard ‘building
blocks’• Oracle 8 based
Blackboard
WebCT
• Offers all the required VLE facilities• Virtual Whiteboards & Chat• Simple ‘student’ interface• ‘Personalised Learning Paths’• Flexible but complicated to use• Oracle 9 based
WebCT
StudyNet
• Offers all the required VLE facilities• Facilities proven to work with UH• Integration with central learning
resources• Consistent interface• Designed to reflect UH structure• Better ‘accessibility’• Reliance on key personnel
StudyNet
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Was ‘StudyNet’ the best decision?• Adapted to meet UH requirements
• Completely driven by Genesis. Genesis data is improving because of this.
• However, UH has yet to improve academic and administrative processes to meet the requirements of StudyNet
• Difficult to manage prioritise development vs maintenance
But to be honest……
Only time will tell………