1. The document discusses personal learning environments (PLEs) and how they may replace or enhance traditional virtual learning environments (VLEs) in the future. 2. A PLE is a unique online space owned and controlled by each student that combines formal and informal learning and links to their institution, tutors, and peers. 3. Drivers for PLEs include personalized learning, student experiences, social networking, and their use in K-12 schools. PLEs could make use of existing tools like blogs, wikis, and RSS feeds to create a personalized online learning environment.

1. Neil Currant, Project Officer – TQEG ‘Enhancing Learner Progression through Personalised Learning Environments’ www.elp.ac.uk Personal learning environments: the future for the VLE?

2. Conclusion (possible) That the current VLE will become a complicated beast capable of almost anything we can imagine. Or else We use a range of different tools to create our online learning environment.

3. Aims To think about new ways of using ICT for teaching and learning. To be aware of personalised tools that are available to students. To raise questions about learning and technology.

4. Terms of Engagement Personal Everyone’s environment will be slightly different and will fulfil their needs The learner is able to change/ modify both look and content

5. Terms of Engagement Learning Both formal and informal Links to institution and wider learning events

6. Terms of Engagement Environment Online Accessible anytime, anywhere, anyplace.

7. So a Possible Vision Every student has their own online learning space that: Is unique and personal to them. Is owned and controlled by them. Links to their institution’s, tutor’s and peer’s spaces. Merges formal and informal, personal and study.

8. Why? To make learning personal To encourage independent learning To draw in informal learning To encourage lifelong learning

9. Drivers Government Personalised learning Students experiences Social networking – MySpace etc. Use of personal online environments in school

10. What we have now? Blackboard Website An e-portfolio

11. What is possible now? Lecturer / Module blog or similar Student blogs Module wiki email Group work wiki Group discussion (set up by us) Group discussion (set up by students) Resources and weblinks Shared bookmarks (annotated)

12. What tools already exist? Google Homepage (iGoogle) Yahoo personal homepage Netvibes & other RSS aggregators

13. Isn’t this more work for lecturers? Post to your blog Post announcements What is happening comes straight to you via a simple webpage. Log in to VLE to see what is happening Create discussion spaces (and students can add their own) Create discussion spaces Upload course material Upload course material Other tools Institutional VLE

14. Conclusion (possible) That the current VLE will become a complicated beast capable of almost anything we can imagine but often can’t use. Or else We choose a range of different tools that we need to create our online learning environment. NB: the opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the author and not necessarily those of the University of Bradford.