The document proposes a model for a customized learning environment (CxLE) that allows students to personalize their learning experience. It discusses shortcomings of traditional learning management systems and personal learning environments in fully empowering students. The proposed CxLE model integrates institutional learning management systems with personalized tools and social networks selected by students. It is based on constructivist and connectivist learning theories with the student at the center. Next steps include testing the CxLE concept and further integrating formal and informal learning spaces.

1. Customized xLearning
Environment
Anabela Mesquita
CICE –ISCAP / IPP, Portugal
Algoritmi RC, Portugal
sarmento@iscap.ipp.pt
Fernando Moreira
UPT, IJP, DEGI, Portugal
IEETA, UA, Aveiro, Portugal
fmoreira@upt.pt
Paula Peres
CICE – ISCAP /IPP, Portugal
pperes@iscap.ipp.pt
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2. Agenda
• Introduction
• Background
• Some assumptions
• Model proposed
• Conclusions and next steps
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3. Introduction
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Changes
Education system must address the
diversity of students’ backgrounds and
needs.
Educational equity
Learning should be personalized
Lack of interaction in traditional classes
– which is essential for learning
Assumptions
Adopting e-learning platforms
Effective in
connecting people
and resources
Facilitate
interaction
Promote
collaboration
Contribute to
critical thinking
Development of informal learning environments
Anabela Mesquita, Paula Peres, Fernando Moreira

4. Introduction
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Platforms designed for elearning, open source or commercial - more
focused on the design of the needs of institutional progress or
activities concerning teaching and learning.
Personal Learning Environment - approach to integrate different practices and
resources to address individual learning needs - more flexible and aims to
focus on the needs of students.
Still relies on what teachers make at students’
disposal and not empower student to create his /
her own environment
Anabela Mesquita, Paula Peres, Fernando Moreira

5. Introduction
Model
To develop their CxLE using a set of tools and
services that cover the functions in their learning
process and customise their learning environment.
Learning and
e/m/ulearning elements
Student is the focus Decides what should be included
in this learning environment
Customized xLearning
Environment
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6. 15/11/2016 Anabela Mesquita, Paula Peres, Fernando Moreira 6
CxLE
PLE
Social
networks
Pedagogical
learning
theories

7. Background (1)
• Personal Learning Environments (PLE)
• “conceptual and technological frameworks that help
learners take control of and manage their own learning”.
• Providing support for learners to:
• Set their own learning goals
• Manage their learning (learning outcomes and processes)
• Personal
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Related with engagement with other
learners and experts; consists of an
assembly of resources from various
sources.
Anabela Mesquita, Paula Peres, Fernando Moreira

8. Background (1)
• PLE characteristics
• Support – environment planned to help students to design and
manage their learning environment;
• Educational component – all the resources that are available in
the learning environment;
• Social – environment developed take into consideration the
need to engage with other (knowledge is something that is
socially constructed);
• Technological component – design of the tools used. All
components should be tailored, student-centered and driven.
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9. Background (2)
• Social network
• “… a web service that allow individuals to (1) construct a public profile within
a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a
connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made
by others within the system.”
• Social network can be:
• Horizontal - used for more general purposes; diverse users; address a wide
range of topics; reduced specialization; less privacy, public – lot of users and
information; no filter
• Vertical - highly segmented user base, addressing specific topics in depth,
high degree of specialization, generally more private and closed.
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10. Background (3)
• Pedagogical Learning Theories
• Constructivism - all new knowledge and learning is based on
previous knowledge and past learning.
• Main principles:
• 1) learning and understanding comes from interaction with the
environment;
• 2) learners encounter cognitive conflict which in turn stimulates
learning;
• 3) new knowledge develops through social interaction
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11. Background (3)
• Pedagogical Learning Theories
• Connectivist - learning occurs through the process
of a learner connecting to and transferring
information into a learning community.
• Characteristics related with PLE
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12. Model - assumptions
• Service-based framework
• Components:
• 1) Institutional context (include one or more LMS in which the students carry
out their academic activities, e.g. Moodle),
• 2) Personalized context (facilitates de integration of the different tools that
students use in their learning) and
• 3) Communication channels
• 4) Mediator elements (to facilitate communication between specific instances
of the LMS and the online tools included into the PLE) and / or the
representation of these elements in other contexts (such as mobile devices).
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Learning
environment
Institutional
LMS
Facilitate
communication
Anabela Mesquita, Paula Peres, Fernando Moreira

13. Model - assumptions
• Will it be an e/m/ulearning environment? – this will clarify what are
the necessary technologies
• Need to define the learning environment in wider context, the
interaction with social networks and ways to communicate with the
LMS
• What happens in the wider context can be used in the institutional
environment
• Learning contents can / should be enhanced with the funcionality of
the LMS
• Enhanced with social networking contents
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14. Proposed Model
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Institutional
environment
PLE – one or
more tools
Social
networks
Channels and
interfaces of
communication
Model to use
Anabela Mesquita, Paula Peres, Fernando Moreira
Network / interaction

15. Conclusions and next steps
• CxLE
• Technological developments are bringing more and more
functionalities to this learning environment while learning theories
support and are the basis for the conceptual principles of these
environments.
• Student is the center of all the learning process
• Learning does not occur only in the classroom
• LMS should also take into consideration informal learning, valuing
and assessing it.
• Other people should be involved in the process – external experts,
potential employers
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16. • Next step
• Test this customized xlearning environment by implementing it
as proof of concept
• Propose an integration of all the learning space - formal and
informal - in the LMS
• Involve other key players in the learning environment
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17. Thank you
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