This document traces the evolution of learning management systems (LMS) and virtual learning environments (VLE) over time from the 1815s to 2010. It discusses how different technologies that were once seen as innovations, like paper, ink, and ballpoint pens, are now taken for granted. Similarly, the document outlines the journey of one educational institution in searching for an "iTopia" or ideal VLE, trying platforms like WebCT, OLS, Elgg, Ning, CollectiveX, Grou.ps, and Edmodo with varying degrees of success and failure. The key lessons are that digital learning is an ongoing process of experimentation in a "building zone" and there is no single perfect solution yet

1. Is there an iTopia? Is there an iTopia of Learning? Where is it? How do we get there?

2. The journey “Students today depend on paper too much. They don’t know how to write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. They can’t clean a slate properly. What will they do when they run out of paper?” (Principal’s Publication, 1815) “Students today depend too much on ink. They don’t know how to use a knife to sharpen a pencil. Pen and ink will never replace the pencil.” (Journal of the National Association of Teachers, 1907) “Students today depend on store bought ink. They don’t know how to make their own. When they run out of ink they will be unable to write words or ciphers until their next trip to the settlement. This is a sad commentary on modern education.” (Rural American Teacher, 1928) “Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of education in our country. Students use these devices then throw them away. The American values of thrift and frugality are being discarded. Businesses and banks will never allow such expensive luxuries.” (Federal Teachers, 1950)

3. From Slate to Pad Students don’t know how to write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. What will they do when they run out of paper?

6. Where is the space? Where is the space?

10. The Chasm of Lost Acronyms CBI (Computer Based Instruction) CBT (Computer Based Training) CAL (Computer Assisted Learning) ILS (Integrated Learning Systems) LMS (Learning Management Systems) CMS (Content Management Systems) LCMS (Learning Content Management Systems) CMS (Course Management Systems) VLE (Virtual Learning Environments) SLN (Social Learning Network)

11. Our VLE Journey to iTopia éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 CLOUDe Valley Ravines of Technicality Mt. Institutionus

12. WebCT Before search for Social/Ubuntu OK for Content Delivery & Course Management Mt. Institutionus Non Uni people access Wasn’t good at collaborative docs

13. Our VLE Journey to iTopia éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007 CLOUDe Valley Ravines of Technicality Mt. Institutionus

14. OLS Mt. Institutionus Focus on Learning Designed for Social Constructivst Integrated to UKZN Good document handling Lacked strong social/community aspect No powerful collaboration

15. Our VLE Journey to iTopia éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007 Elgg – (2008) CLOUDe Valley Ravines of Technicality Mt. Institutionus

17. Investigated Brighton

18. Good Social Networking

19. Institutional Lock Out

20. Self Managed Servers

23. Good Social, Community

24. Control nice – any time, place

25. Access from anywhere

26. Fun interesting interface, functionality

29. Open source

30. Used portfolio approach

31. Nice educational approach

32. Confused students with this approach

33. Not easy use

34. No community/fun experience

35. Limited plugins

36. Had to keep tech up to date (new versions)

39. Bland – no real community feel

40. No stamping own personality

41. Layout restrictive

42. Plugins limited

45. Cloud based

46. Free

47. Lots of collaborative tools

48. Control over everything including ads

49. Files based on tagging

50. Fairly good with individual pages

53. Even more plugins

54. File system still clunky

55. Lots of freedom for creation of identity

56. Can choose own skins etc

57. The best embedded chat (others didn’t have or didn’t work well)

58. Nearly 1000 blog posts in 10 weeks

77. Lessons 2.0 Digital campfire What have learnt? Where is iTopia? What does it look like? Can we get there?

78. Lessons 2.0 Ubun2.0 Learning Happening Be prepared to work in a “Building Zone”

79. Cracking the Code

80. Where to now?