The Centralisation Dilemma in Educational IT

The trend with organisational adoption of virtual learning environments (VLE) seems to be cyclical. Initially, a decentralised approach was adopted, wherein each department implemented different learning environments or mixtures of technology, often developed in-house. The last five years have seen an increased centralisation of learning environment implementation, with most universities adopting a single VLE. However, in more recent times the proliferation of free, easy-to-use third party tools that fulfil a range of functions has seen a desire amongst some educators to return to a more decentralised model of technology provision, by supporting Personal Learning Environments (PLE). This paper examines the issues surrounding both a centralised and decentralised model. These include pedagogic, support, financial, reliability, data and technical issues. The conclusion is that although the fully individualised PLE may not be possible or desirable in higher education, maintaining separate, often inferior versions of commonly available software is not a sustainable position.

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The Centralisation Dilemma in Educational IT

Virtual Learning Environments ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-0011-9.ch713 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 1550-1558

Author(s):

Martin Weller

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Learning Environment ◽

Learning Environments ◽

Virtual Learning Environments ◽

Third Party ◽

Reliability Data ◽

Personal Learning ◽

Personal Learning Environments ◽

Range Of Functions ◽

Technical Issues

The trend with organisational adoption of virtual learning environments (VLE) seems to be cyclical. Initially, a decentralised approach was adopted, wherein each department implemented different learning environments or mixtures of technology, often developed in-house. The last five years have seen an increased centralisation of learning environment implementation, with most universities adopting a single VLE. However, in more recent times the proliferation of free, easy-to-use third party tools that fulfil a range of functions has seen a desire amongst some educators to return to a more decentralised model of technology provision, by supporting Personal Learning Environments (PLE). This paper examines the issues surrounding both a centralised and decentralised model. These include pedagogic, support, financial, reliability, data and technical issues. The conclusion is that although the fully individualised PLE may not be possible or desirable in higher education, maintaining separate, often inferior versions of commonly available software is not a sustainable position.

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Frontierland: Exploring the Uses of Virtual Learning Environments in Higher Education

Virtual Learning and Higher Education ◽

10.1163/9789401201056_003 ◽

2004 ◽

pp. xiii-xiii

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Learning Environments ◽

Virtual Learning ◽

Virtual Learning Environments

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Students' Attitudes towards the Use of a Virtual Learning Environment with the Presence of Advertisements: Pilot Study

GATR Global Journal of Business Social Sciences Review - GATR Global Journal of Business and Social Science Review (GJBSSR) Vol.7(1) Jan-Mar 2019 ◽

10.35609/gjbssr.2021.9.2(6) ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 165-173

Author(s):

MB Mutheiwana ◽

KL Sharp ◽

M Motale

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Pilot Study ◽

South African ◽

Learning Environments ◽

Research Study ◽

Virtual Learning ◽

Virtual Learning Environments ◽

Measuring Instrument ◽

E Learning ◽

Students Attitudes

Objective - As Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) begin to investigate how they can increase revenue and decrease costs, the Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) already implemented in most HEIs may be the solution. The opportunity for including advertisements on a VLE allows HEIs to minimise the significant financial implications associated with the development and use of a VLE, without reducing the value of the service provided. While incorporating advertisements onto VLEs makes sense financially, there is limited knowledge on how students will respond to the presence of advertisements on VLEs. Consequently, this research study reports on the findings from a pilot study conducted to determine the legitimacy and reliability of a measuring instrument being employed to investigate students' attitudes towards the use of a VLE with the presence of advertisements at a South African university of technology. Methodology/Technique - A measuring instrument, including constructs of self-efficacy, technology experience, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, satisfaction, pre advert presence and post advert presence on a selected VLE was employed in this research study. A six-point Likert scale, ranging from 1= strongly disagree to 6= strongly agree was used to avoid the utilisation of a seventh scale item of neither agree nor disagree. After the initial pre-testing of the questionnaire, carried out to verify face and content validity, was completed, a non-probability, convenience, judgement sample of 50 students from a South African public higher education institution situated in the Gauteng province was taken. The gathered pilot data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), Version 25.0. Findings - The findings indicate that the measuring instrument was deemed legitimate and reliable with regards to investigating students' attitudes towards the use of a VLE with the presence of advertisements. Novelty - Only one previous study has been conducted with regards to evaluating students' attitudes towards advertising on HEI VLEs, which was conducted in the UK. In addition, other studies closely related are concerned with students' attitudes towards e-learning and do not evaluate students' attitudes towards the use of a VLE with the presence of advertisements. Attitudes contribute to understanding the perceptions of students towards a VLE. Consequently, if HEIs are to incorporate advertisements on the VLEs used within HEIs, then evaluating the attitudes of the students enrolled at these HEIs, towards the use of a VLE with the presence of advertisements, is paramount. Type of Paper - Empirical. Keywords: E-learning, attitudes, virtual learning environments, advertisements, students, higher education institutions, South Africa. JEL Classification: I22, I23, M30, M31, M37 URI: http://gatrenterprise.com/GATRJournals/GJBSSR/vol9.2_6.html DOI: https://doi.org/10.35609/gjbssr.2021.9.2(6) Pages 165 – 173

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Faculty's Examination of Virtual Learning Strategies to Communicate With Students

Fostering Effective Student Communication in Online Graduate Courses - Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-2682-7.ch003 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 42-60

Author(s):

Cassandra Louise Sligh Conway ◽

Yvonne Sims ◽

Audrey McCrary Quarles ◽

Diane M. Burnette ◽

Stanley Melton Harris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Learning Environments ◽

Learning Strategies ◽

Learning Process ◽

Communication Strategies ◽

Virtual Learning ◽

Effective Communication ◽

Virtual Learning Environments ◽

Communication Process ◽

Future Directions

Faculty's examination of virtual learning strategies to communicate with students is essential. Virtual learning is an innovative way to work with student s in higher education. The purpose of this effort is as follows: a) note strategies that can enhance the communication process with students and faculty during the virtual learning process; b) provide a review of contemporary research on virtual learning and activities; c) provide narratives from faculty in higher education that provide virtual learning environments and effective communication strategies to students. Authors from multiple disciplines provide their perceptions of virtual learning and some challenges or experiences in implementing activities to communicate with students in higher education. Their perception of using this type of learning with students is shared and common themes are discussed. In all efforts, there is a discussion of the benefits, purpose, and implications of this type of learning. Recommendations, strategies and future directions are presented.

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Factors Affecting the Design and Development of a Personal Learning Environment

Technologies, Innovation, and Change in Personal and Virtual Learning Environments ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-2467-2.ch018 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 226-236

Author(s):

Helene Fournier ◽

Rita Kop

Keyword(s):

Learning Environment ◽

Human Factors ◽

Learning Environments ◽

Technology Use ◽

Interface Design ◽

Design And Development ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Personal Learning ◽

Personal Learning Environment ◽

Personal Learning Environments

After speculation in literature about the nature of Personal Learning Environments, research in the design and development of PLEs is now in progress. This paper reports on the first phase of the authors’ research on PLE, the identification process of what potential users would consider important components, applications, and tools in a PLE. The methodology included surveying “super-users” on their use of existing tools, applications and systems and their preferences in learning, in order to enhance the development of a PLE and reach a specification that potential learners will find useful and empowering in their learning. The research resulted in suggestions on factors affecting technology use and uptake, human factors and attitudes, and interface design that need to be factored in the design and development of a PLE.

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The Importance of Virtual Learning Environments in Higher Education

Computer-Assisted Language Learning ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-7663-1.ch005 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 109-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paulo Alves ◽

Luisa Miranda ◽

Carlos Morais

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Learning Environments ◽

Research Work ◽

Virtual Learning ◽

Education Institution ◽

Daily Basis ◽

Computer Skills ◽

Virtual Learning Environment ◽

Virtual Learning Environments ◽

Access Frequency

This chapter focuses on the concept of virtual learning environment (VLE), its characteristics and potentialities. We present the results of a research work conducted with a sample of 347 undergraduates from a Portuguese public higher education institution. The research addressed the issue regarding the use of virtual learning environments within the higher education context and had the following aims: identify the VLE access frequency; assess the influence of users' computer skills on the VLE access frequency; and assess the importance and impact that students consider the VLE to have on supporting the course units they attend. In the light of the results obtained and considering the VLE used in the sample institution, we highlight that the majority of students accesses the VLE on a daily basis, no significant differences were found regarding VLE access according to users' computer skills, and the most valued aspects of the VLE were: checking exam results and receiving teachers' messages or notices.

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Implementing Augmented Reality Into Immersive Virtual Learning Environments

Implementing Augmented Reality Into Immersive Virtual Learning Environments - Advances in Educational Technologies and Instructional Design ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-4222-4.ch006 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102-118

Author(s):

Pooja Siddharth Sukhdeve

Keyword(s):

Augmented Reality ◽

Learning Environment ◽

Learning Environments ◽

Design Process ◽

Learning Process ◽

Virtual Learning ◽

Virtual Learning Environments ◽

Background Information ◽

Immersive Learning ◽

Artificial Environment

Technology is ever-changing and ever-growing. One of the newest developing technologies is augmented reality (AR), which can be applied to many different existing technologies, such as computers, tablets, and smartphones. This chapter discusses the immersive learning process and the usage of AR into a simulated or in an artificial environment. Discussed is the background information on how the AR use in educational industries and the design process of AR immersive learning environment. The chapter also evaluates the benefits if immersive learning and AR.

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Interactive Immersive Learning in Higher Education

Creative Nursing ◽

10.1891/1078-4535.16.3.106 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 106-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Patrick Mattis

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Learning Environments ◽

Virtual Learning ◽

Virtual Learning Environments ◽

Immersive Learning ◽

Patient Simulators

An expanded defi nition of simulation encompasses patient simulators, avatars, and virtual learning environments. This article explains the elements and advantages of each of these education modalities.

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