Managed learning environment

A managed learning environment (also known by its acronym, MLE; hereinafter, MLE) is a computer-based ecosystem that supports learning activities such as assessment, collaboration, communication, e-portfolio building, hands-on training, learning path tracking, on-the-job training, etc.

MLE and similar terms

The term, managed learning environment, contains some ambiguity since the first word, managed, could grammatically refer to either learning or environment. MLE is a tool designed to create a managed environment for learning. On the contrary, management of one's learning is a task of educational service providers, learners, or both, and not MLE's.

Versus VLE

A virtual learning environment (VLE) can be considered a subsystem of MLE. Literally, MLE assumes a wider infrastructure and/or a wider scale than VLE. For instance, VLE tends to be web-based, whereas MLE can be hosted locally, on the web, and/or using some hybrid approach.

More importantly, the term, VLE, suggests just virtual or remote environment. In the meanwhile, MLE may refer to both virtual and physical spaces such as laboratory or apprentice workplace in which learning takes place.

In comparison with MLR, a virtual learning environment, as a term, contains even more ambiguity. According to Wikipedia,

a more correct term may be a virtual environment for learning, rather than virtual learning environment. This removes any ambiguities and identifies that it is the environment which is virtual and not the learning. The term virtual may also contribute to confusion, suggesting that the learning is not real or authentic.

Versus LMS

Presumably, MLE is bigger than a learning management system (LMS), which is supposed to deal with formal training only. However, this meaning difference is rarely the case.

Geographic differences affect usages of these two terms greater than literal meanings. In the United States, LMS is used more frequently than in Europe. The Europeans tend to use MLE and VLE particularly because the acronym, LMS, in Europe usually stands for library management system. In the United States, this system is commonly called integrated library system (ILS).

Versus CMS

Traditionally, the corporate training service providers in the United States tend to use one term, learning management system (LMS), while the academia prefers another term, a course management system (CMS). However, based on the meaning, CMS shall support standalone courses, whereas LMS shall also support learning throughout various courses and pure assessments outside of any courses. Presumably, MLE shall be wider than either course management system or learning management system, but practices rarely support that point since the terms are used interchangeably.

Other terms

Listed alphabetically, similar terms also include e-learning system, learning content management system (LCMS), learning support system (LSS), managed learning platform (MLP), online learning centre (OLC), OpenCourseWare (OCW). They may or may not have the same meaning as MLE.

Software

The software behind MLE can be called campusware, courseware, or learning management software; however, no unified terminology exists and other terms can be in use.

Off-the-shelf

This group includes both off-the-shelf ready-to-use software packages and already-functioning cloud based solutions such as Adobe Captivate, Blackboard, Canvas LMS, D2L, Docebo, MoodleCloud, etc.

Ready-to-assemble

This group includes open-source projects like Moodle, Sakai LMS, etc.

Individually-built

? open source (often free to use and adapt but support is charged for), such as Moodle

? bespoke (developed by institutions for their own individual needs)

Features

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.

There are different types of VLE, which all work slightly differently but ultimately perform the same function and can deliver the same learning materials. A Higher Education institution is likely to have a licence for a VLE that fits into any one of the following three categories:

There are some international standards associated with VLEs which help to make content and assessments interoperable (i.e. they can be used in different types of VLE). The standard for content is called 'Sharable Content Object Reference Model' (SCORM) and the standard for assessments is called 'Question and Test Interoperability' (QTI).

A virtual learning environment (VLE) is a set of teaching and learning tools designed to enhance a student's learning experience by including computers and the Internet in the learning process. The principal components of a VLE package include curriculum mapping (breaking curriculum into sections that can be assigned and assessed), student tracking, online support for both teacher and student, electronic communication (e-mail, threaded discussions, chat, Web publishing), and Internet links to outside curriculum resources. In general, VLE users are assigned either a teacher ID or a student ID. The teacher sees what a students sees, but the teacher has additional user rights to create or modify curriculum content and track student performance. There are a number of commercial VLE software packages available, including Blackboard, WebCT, Lotus LearningSpace, and COSE.

See also

• https://psychology.wikia.org/wiki/Virtual_learning_environment
• https://tecfa.unige.ch/tecfa/publicat/dil-papers-2/Dil.7.5.18.pdf
• https://economicsnetwork.ac.uk/handbook/printable/vle_v5.pdf
• https://www.jisc.ac.uk/guides/technology-and-tools-for-online-learning/virtual-learning-environments
• http://academy.webinar.ru/glossary/virtual-learning-environment/
• https://fireflylearning.com/what-is-a-virtual-learning-environment-vle
• https://www.knowledgeanywhere.com/resources/article-detail/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-a-virtual-learning-environment
• https://online-learning.fandom.com/wiki/Virtual_Learning_Environment
• https://en.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/247473