Reading 5

E-maturity and virtual learning environments (VLEs)

•From the case studies there is increasing evidence of widespread and effective technological support for work both at school and in the home. For some schools this is confined to a combination of the school intranet and external email while for others fully functioning VLEs are available.

•VLEs, when used appropriately, support personalisation.

•There is still confusion over what constitutes an external VLE and what is an adequate level of service provision for such a system.

•While the development of fully functioning VLEs can be seen as a first step, embedding this new technology into teaching and learning is not a trivial matter. It should be noted that VLEs are technologically and pedagogically high-maintenance developments.There is concern in primary schools about the ‘anytime, anyplace, anywhere’ agenda because the VLE facility might lead to unnecessary attention to school work at home.

•An issue that needs to be grasped by the educational establishment is the entrenchment of the digital divide as VLEs take learning into the home. The ‘have-nots’ must be catered for.