A virtual learning environment (VLE) is an online platform for providing educational content and courses. A VLE allows students to access learning materials and tools anywhere with an internet connection. Key features of a VLE include online assessments, student tracking, communication tools, and collaboration features. VLEs aim to model real-world classroom experiences in an online format.

1. By: Zahra Farajnezhad

2. Virtual Learning Environment
VLEs is a software system designed to support teaching and
learning in an educational setting, as distinct from a
Managed Learning Environment (MLE) where the focus is
on management.
VLEs in educational technology is a Web-based platform
for the digital aspects of courses of study, usually within
educational institutions. They present resources, activities
and interactions within a course structure and provide for
the different stages of assessment.

3. Virtual Learning Environment
VLEs is a system for delivering learning
materials to students via the web. These
systems include assessment, student tracking,
collaboration and communication tools.
VLEs is an education system based on the
Web that models conventional real-world
education.

4. Distance learning is also, quite old.
In the 1840’s Isaac Pitman taught his pupils shorthand
via correspondence. This form of symbolic writing
was designed to improve writing speed and was
popular amongst secretaries, journalists, and other
individuals who did a great deal of note taking or
writing. Pitman, who was a qualified teacher, was sent
completed assignments by his students via the mail
system and he would then send them more work to be
finished.

5. From 1968 until 1980, In the USA, the first primary
online courses were offered by the University of
Alberta’s Department of Medicine.
In the 1976 the Open University launched its first online
classes. The institution is one of the pioneers to offer
internet-based courses for credit and even considered to
be the first college or university to do so. The Open
University also developed the whiteboard system, not in
use any more, that allowed teleconferencing before the
invention of Skype or Google Talk.

6. The world’s first fully remote
community college – Coastline
Community College, was also
established in 1976. It possessed a
few scattered “mini-campuses”
but its focus was on self-directed
learning. This is the first school to
offer a fully online degree.

7. The 2000s saw e-learning entering the business
world and becoming a popular form for
training new employees or rising their
qualification.
As of 2010, e-learning has been inspired by
social media such as YouTube, Twitter, iTunes,
Skype, etc. The last decade was quite prolific
for the development of online learning and
added many interesting and useful aspects to it.
A great variety of new terms also emerged in
order to represent the fast evolving online
educational world – mobile learning,
gamification, localization, and social e-
learning are just a few.

8. A virtual learning environment or VLE is an online
education platform. It is used as an extension of
normal school lessons.
A VLE contains many tools to help students learn
their subjects.
Students can access the VLE from home by
logging in to the system.

9. A virtual classroom is an online
learning environment. The
environment can be web-based and
accessed through a portal or software-
based and require a downloadable
executable file.

10. • Just like in a real-world classroom, a student in a virtual classroom participates
in synchronous instruction, which means that the teacher and students are
logged into the virtual learning environment at the same time.

11. Software engineers and user experience (UX) designers are trying to inch
the daily technology solutions closer to the way that humans access and use
it. This includes, but is not limited to, modifying or developing technology
that functions like a human being and even out-performs human beings.
We may be talking about space sciences or a small classroom in an urban
school – virtual technologies are leading us to make valuable mistakes in a
relatively safer environment.
The result? A more time and cost-effective solution that trains amateurs
towards mastery at record-breaking pace. Now that is something truly worth
our time and budget.

12. Distance
Learning
Degree
Programs
Professional
Certification
Courses
Instructional
Videos
Video or
Audio
Lectures
Books,
Articles, and
Other
Writings
Podcasts
Webinars
High School
or University
Classes

13. The Digital Interactive Classroom forms the backbone of the VLE, which can be
accessed by the classroom computer and Class pads. Students can learn
asynchronously, in any environment and at their own pace.
They have the support of a 'collaboration tool' called Class Teacher Study Circles.

14. It is a social space where students and
teacher can interact through threaded
discussions or chat. It includes online
chat with student’s mentors, where
they can resolve their queries and
discuss their performance with them.

15. Teachers can use templates to create tests, assessments and quizzes.
Students can submit their assignments to the teachers and share documents with the
class or with the teacher.

16. VLE economizes the time of the teaching
staff and provides instruction in a flexible
manner to students independent of time and
space constraints.
It allows for effective classroom
administration, creation of lesson plans using
existing or new resources, assessment,
monitoring of students and allocation and
checking of assignments.

17. Virtual classroom courses are complete
programs of learning. They comprise of
sequences of synchronous and asynchronous
activities. Live meetings, chats, discussion
forums are all synchronous activities, while
asynchronous events include independent or
group task-works, submitting assignments
and emailing the course instructor for
additional questions.

18. virtual classrooms require a course
mentor who can lead learners through
the subject and who can also attend
online meetings.
Once this basic requirement is met,
virtual classroom courses offer the
following benefits over independent
eLearning courses:

19.  Flexibility in learning and improved activity:
These courses have the freedom to
combine lectures, Q&A sessions,
individual and team activities, reading
and even online testing. Learners can
work directly with peers and gain
meaningful feedback from them.
Scaffolding on new topics is much
quicker and smoother.

20.  More disciplined learning community:
A strong sense of community” feeling is
instilled in the group. They engage more
actively and take responsibility for their
comments and feedback. The group feels a
sense of community and moves towards
common learning goals.
Direct contact with the instructor and peers
help keep learning more disciplined and
consistent.

21. Virtual classrooms appeal a
sense of familiarity:
Learners in virtual classrooms are familiar
with the requirements and expectations of the
course. They find themselves comfortable with
the teaching, learning and testing methods.

22. More adaptability
for the learners:
The instructor monitors the classroom directly and
is able to assess the individual needs of each learner
and the needs of the group more easily in a virtual
classroom. The instructor can address any upcoming
concerns and issues more responsively.
The content and presentation can also be adapted
closely to the learner’s needs.

23. Virtual classrooms use collaboration tools to re-create the structure and learning experiences of
a physical classroom. Well-designed virtual classrooms provide a richer interaction while
alleviating the requirement for everyone to be at the same location. Find out if your course
needs to be delivered as a virtual classroom.

24. Different types of VLE
There are fundamentally two types of VLE :
Synchronous training
Asynchronous training

25.  Synchronous:
means “at the same time,” involves interaction of participants with an instructor via
the Web in real time. For example – VCRs or Virtual class rooms that are nothing
else but real classrooms online. Participants interact with each other and instructors
through instant messaging, chat, audio and video conferencing, etc and what’s more
all the sessions can be recorded and played back. Its benefits are:
 Ability to log or track learning activities.
 Continuous monitoring and correction is possible
 Possibilities of global connectivity and collaboration opportunities among
learners.
 Ability to personalize the training for each learner.

26.  Asynchronous
which means “not at the same time,”
allows the participants to complete the
WBT (Web-based training) at their
own pace, without live interaction
with the instructor. The advantage is
that offers the learners the information
they need whenever they need it. It
also has interaction amongst
participants through message boards,
bulletin boards and discussion forums.
Its advantages are:
Available ‘just in time’ for
instant learning and reference.
Flexibility of access from
anywhere at any time.
Ability to simultaneously reach
an unlimited number of learners.
Uniformity of content and
onetime cost of production.

27. A new form of learning known as
blended learning is emerging. As the
name suggests it is an amalgamation of
synchronous and asynchronous learning
methods.
Using both online training through
virtual classrooms and also giving CD’s
and study material for self-study is now
being increasingly preferred over any
single type of training.

28. Advantages of a Virtual Learning Environment
Easy Tracking and Assessment:
With your virtual learning environment
software, it’s easy to tell which learners
have completed the activities. Built-in
assessments like quizzes can help you
ensure they’re absorbing the material.

29. Advantages of a Virtual Learning Environment
 Seamless Delivery:
Every learner has access to the same material, no
matter when he or she gets joined. Your message is
consistent through the years; when you make a
change in classroom policy, that can be updated in
your learning system, and all learners have access to
it.

30. Advantages of a Virtual Learning Environment
 Time Savings:
They can be accessed both on and off-campus,
meaning that they can support students' learning
outside the lecture hall 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. This enables institutions to teach not only
traditional full-time students but also those who
cannot regularly visit the campus due to
geographic or time restrictions, e.g. those on
distance learning courses, doing evening classes,
or workers studying part-time.

31. Advantages of a Virtual Learning Environment
Financial Savings:
With an investment in virtual
learning platforms, you’re paying
someone (or taking the time
yourself) to develop curriculum
once, which can then be used
over and over again. Compare
this to the expense of hosting
workshops every time you hire
new
people or make changes in your
institution: paying speakers and
instructors, arranging venues
and losing the real outcome
when learners are out of the
class. It’s easy to see how cost-
effective a virtual learning
environment is.

32. Advantages of a Virtual Learning Environment
Communication and Connection:
With forums and message boards, learners
can answer questions and offer mentoring
and advice for new ones. This saves time
for those in management roles and builds a
sense of connection and community among
the team.

33. Advantages of a Virtual Learning Environment
 Flexibility:
learners can choose where and when they
complete the training. They can revisit
sections that were unclear, or review the entire
curriculum from time to time. It’s also flexible
for you since you can add or change material
at any time.

34. 1. To provide education to
physically disabled students and
students with diseases like
dyslexia ,epilepsy etc.
2. To provide education to students
with weak economic background.
3. To make learning enjoyable and
pressure free.

35. Disadvantages of a Virtual Learning Environment
Dwindling Attention Spans:
How many browser windows do you have open right now? Many people are programmed to multi-
task when they’re on the computer, This could lead to skimming articles or starting a video that
turns into background noise as they try to complete another project at the same time. Of course, we
can help prevent that by keeping lessons and videos short and simple.

36. Disadvantages of a Virtual Learning Environment
Getting Lost in the Material:
Depending on each student’s learning style,
some might feel lost when they can’t ask an
instructor for clarification in real time.
Others might require lessons that are more
hands-on, visual, or auditory than what you
end up offering on your platform.

37. Disadvantages
Discomfort with Technology
Limitations:
A virtual learning environment might not be the most effective
way to teach someone to build or use a complicated piece of
machinery. It also doesn’t offer that human-to-human contact,
which may limit your opportunities for team-building and role-
playing activities, brainstorming, or discussion.

38. Key Tactics to Create an Impactful
Virtual Learning Environment
Break learning activities into short, video-
based modules.
If a picture says 100 words, a video says
1,000, and for busy students balancing
multiple tasks, a series of training videos can
really pack a punch in comparison to lengthy
course modules.

39.  Quantitative and qualitative data will
be collected to evaluate the outcome
and effectiveness of the online
courses.
 The purpose for using the VLE can
vary from being like a textbook or
scientific material to be more like
demonstration or even a game.
 The long term objective is to create a
full featured learning system targeted
for academic environment.

40. Society is changing rapidly, our students are ‘digital
natives’ having grown up surrounded by technology. They
are already engaged in many online social groups
(through facebook, myspace, bebo, online forums etc).
We believe that university, apart from knowledge, must
prepare students for the real world; we know our students
use the technology in their free time (Internet, electronic
mail, social networks, chats, messenger…), and we want
them to use it in their academic lives as well.

41. CALL –
Computer Assisted Language Learning

42.  CALL is not a method
 The focus of CALL is learning, and not teaching.
 CALL materials are used in teaching to facilitate
the language learning process.
 It is a student-centered learning material, which
promotes self-paced learning
 It is a form of computer-based learning which
carries two important features: bidirectional
learning and individualized learning.

43. Computer-assisted language learning (CALL)
originates from CAI (Computer-Assisted
Instruction), where computers were first viewed
as an aid for teachers.
The philosophy CALL is more student-centered
with the lessons allowing the learners to learn on
their own using structured and/or unstructured
interactive lessons.

44. It is a tool that helps teachers to
facilitate language learning process
 CALL can be used to reinforce what has been learned
in the classrooms.
 It can also be used as remedial to help learners with
limited language proficiency.

45.  ICT in language teaching and learning encompasses many different
types of software applications. The applications tend to fall into two
distinct types:
a) Generic software applications
b) CALL software applications

46. These are multi-purpose programs
that are not designed specifically for
language teaching and learning.
These include:
Word-processors such as Microsoft
Word.
Presentation software such as
PowerPoint:
Email packages.
Web browsers: Using the World
Wide Web in language

47. Computer Assisted Language Learning
(CALL) may be defined as; the search for
and study of applications of the computer
in language teaching and learning’. Graham
Davies, Thames Valley University, UK .

48. CALL’s origins and development trace back
to the 1960’s (Delcloque 2000). Since the
early days CALL has developed into a
symbiotic relationship between the
development of technology and pedagogy.

49. Internet activities vary considerably, from online versions of software (where
the learner interacts with a networked computer), to computer- mediated
communication (where the learner interacts with other people via the
computer), to applications that combine these two elements.

50.  CALL has come to encompass issues of
materials design, technologies, pedagogical
theories and modes of instruction.
 Materials for CALL can include those which are
purpose-made for language learning and those
which adapt existing computer-based materials,
video and other materials.

51. CALL is important nowadays because it offers a variety
of resources to improve our skills, for instance
pronunciation due that CALL has the required programs to
be more communicative and learn the language easily.
CALL programs to improve pronunciation are American
Speech Sound and Ellis Master Pronunciation.

52. It Helps students
become more
involved in the task at
hand. Thereby
facilitating the
necessity of effective
communication
within a group setting.
Creates
student
projects.
Research
Information
provide
context
Investment
of money
Investment
of time

55. Typical CALL programs present a
stimulus to which the learner must
respond.
The stimulus may be presented in
any combination of text, still
images, sound, and motion video.
The learner responds by typing at
the keyboard, pointing and
clicking with the mouse, or
speaking into a microphone.
The computer offers feedback
indicating, whether the
learner’s response is right or
wrong and in the more
sophisticated CALL programs,
attempting to analyses the
learner’s response and to
pinpoint errors.
Branching to help and remedial
activities is a common feature
of CALL programs.

56. THE TEACHER’S ROLE
The teacher is a tutor who provides all the
information to the student, gives feedback and
instructions needed to do a specific task
The professor also needs to prepare and
organize the class in an interactive and very
dynamic way.

57. The Advantages
 Interest and motivation Classical language teaching in
classroom can be repetitious, boring, and even frustrating, and
students can loose interest and motivation in Learning. CALL
Program also provide student ways to learn English through
computer games, animated graphics, and problem-solving
techniques which can make drills more interesting
(Ravichandran 2000)

58. The Advantages
Students can do the entire study skill activity at their
own pace and time using their own learning styles
and strategies. Also CALL with language teaching
provides the learner with an opportunity to become
part of the skills. They are learning and address their
subject related issues by the study skills approach.

59. The Advantages
Individualization: CALL allows learners
to have non-sequential learning habit; they
can decide on their own which skills to
develop and which course to use, as well as
the speed and level by their own needs

60. The Advantages
Optimal use of learning time:
The time flexibility of using computer enables
students to choose appropriate timing for
learning.
Winter (1970, Kilickaya (2007) stressed the
importance of flexible learning, learning
anywhere, anytime, anyhow, and anything you
want, which is very true for the web-based
instruction and CALL. Learner are given a
chance to study and review the materials as many
times they want without limited time.

61. The Advantages
Immediate feedback:
Students receive maximum benefit from feedback
only if it is given immediately. Computer can give
instant feedback and help the students ward off his
misconception at the very first stage.
Brown (1997) in Kilickaya (2007) listed the advantage
of CALL as giving immediate feedback, allowing
students at their own pace, and causing less frustration
among students.

62. The Advantages
Error analysis:
Computer database can be used by the teacher (user) to
classify and differentiate the type of general error and
error on account of the influence can react in different
way from the usual teacher, which make students able to
make self-correction and understand the principle behind
the correct solution (Ravichandran, 2007).

63. The Advantages
 Guided and repetitive:
Students have freedom of expression within certain
bounds that programmers create, such as grammar,
vocabulary, etc. They can repeat the course they want to
master as many as they wish. According to Ikeda (1999)
drill-type CALL materials are suitable for repetitive,
which enable students to learn concept and key elements
in a subject area.

64. limitations and disadvantages
 Less-handy equipment:
According to Ansel et al (1992) the CALL program
is different from traditional books that can be carried
around and studied wherever and whenever they
wish: on a train, at home, in the middle of the night,
and so on. School computers or language laboratory
can only be accessed in restricted hours, so CALL
program only benefits people who have computers at
home or personal notebook.

65. limitations and disadvantages
 Increased educational costs:
Gips, DiMattia, and Gips (2004) indicated that
CALL will increase educational cost, since
computers become a basic requirement for students
to purchase, and low-budget school and low income
students cannot afford a computer

66. limitations and disadvantages
Lack of trained teachers:
It is necessary for teachers and students to have
basic technology knowledge before applying
computer technology in second language
teaching and learning. Therefore, computers
will only benefit those who are familiar with
computer technology.

67. limitations and disadvantages
Imperfect current CALL programs:
At present, the software of CALL mainly deals with reading, listening,
and writing skills. There are some speaking programs have been
developed recently, but their functions are still limited.
Warschauer (2004) stated that a program should ideally be able to
understand a user’s spoken input and evaluate it not just for correctness
but also for ‘appropriateness’. Speaking program should be able to
diagnose a learner's problem with pronunciation, syntax, or usage and
then intelligently decide among a range of options.

68. Any question??!
No?
Super!
BYE.