Virtual learning environment: an overview Singh Sandhya University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India Email: singhsandhya1377@yahoo.in
Abstract Learning is natural to living beings, it helps them to grow, develop and survive. Human beings learn the most that makes them the highest evolved form of life. Learning begins at dawn and continues till the dusk of life. Putting differently, we say it's a lifelong process. No one can claim that learning is no more required at a particular stage of life. Only its modes and means change. Informal learning takes place all the time when we interact with our environment. Formal learning starts at home, continues in the school, college, university, workplace, etc. Differences in the infrastructure and other facilities at the place of learning create gaps and divides among individuals. Those having better access to information and proximity to an informed teacher could learn better than others. Information and Communication Technologies help us overcome this gap and the resultant disparity The concept of Virtual Learning (VL), described by various terms such as e-learning, computer assisted learning, technology enhanced learning or online learning is a flexible mode of learning with learner. The current computer and communication technologies have been used very successfully in many application areas but are not being utilized to their fullest capability for delivering instruction to a widespread student population. The new technologies enable the interaction between students and instructors almost free of time and location constraints. Moreover, the existing technologies have the potential to provide a cost-effective and flexible learning environment. This work is an effort in that direction to provide a cost-effective teaching paradigm the Virtual Learning Environment, hereby referred as VLE. “Learning is breaking out of the narrow boxes that it was trapped in during the 20th century; teachers’ professionalism, reflection and ingenuity are leading learning to places that genuinely excite this new generation of connected young school students — and their teachers too. VLEs are helping to make sure that their learning is not confined to a particular building, or restricted to any single location or moment Top Keywords VLE, Technology. Top |