LearningNI

LearningNI Infobox_Software
name =



caption = LearningNI Gateway screenshot with Internet Explorer
developer = David Woodhouse
latest_release_version = 2.1.5.7
latest_release_date = 28 July 2008
operating_system = Windows
genre = Course Management System
website = [https://learningni.net learningni.net]

LearningNI is a Virtual learning environment (VLE) based in Belfast, designed to support online learning for the entire community within the Northern Ireland education system.

The VLE is primarily focused at school users, both primary and post-primary, including teachers and pupils. This community is supported by the various government education agencies and by universities and teacher training colleges.

You may access LearningNI only through authenticated access - anonymous access is currently not supported. Guests are welcomed to the environment but must be invited by an existing body.

LearningNI Features

LearningNI has many features designed to enrich the learning experience for school children and make the provision of pedagogic goals attainable in an online environment

Secure Access

Only authenticated users are allowed access to the system and each facility within the system is permission controlled using an authorisation engine.

Personal

The look and feel of the environment can be tailored by each user to their own personal taste.

Collaboration

One of the central tennants of LearingNI and other VLEs is the support for collaboration in the learning process. Public and private courses, discussion areas and work areas are all provided by LearningNI.

Integration

The VLE is integrated within other systems, including enterprise user management and email, and work is continuing towards a full blown MLE for Northern Ireland schools.

Background

The project has grown from a need for a unified, centalised approach to online learning within the school system in Northern Ireland.

History

LearningNI is in it's third major incarnation and is evolving as a flagsip VLE within the UK. The environment began development in 2003 and has gone through major architectural and functional design iterations since the initial release.

Statistics

The current user population is in excess of 300,000 users. Each of these users has a personalised experience and private workspace and storage areas.

Similar platforms

* ATutor
* Blackboard
* Claroline
* Desire2Learn
* Scholar360
* Dokeos
* Sakai Project
* WebCT
* Moodle

See also

* Learning management system
* Online learning community
* History of virtual learning environments
* Content management framework
* E-learning
* Computer-assisted language learning
* Becta
* Second Life
* Digication
* Learning Platform

Further reading

* Jenkins, M, T. Browne and R. Walker (2005). VLE Surveys: A longitudinal perspective between March 2001, March 2003 and March 2005 for higher education in the United Kingdom. UCISA. Retrieved August 8, 2007 from http://www.ucisa.ac.uk/groups/tlig/vle/vle_survey_2005.pdf
* Morgan, G. (2003). Faculty Use of Course Management Systems. 2, Retrieved November 27, 2005, from http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ers0302/rs/ers0302w.pdf
* Paulsen, M. F. 2003. Online Education and Learning Management Systems - Global Elearning in a Scandinavian Perspective. Oslo: NKI Forlaget.
* Popat, K, MacLean, H, Heppell, S. (2007). Virtually There : Learning Platforms - YHGfL/Cleveratom ISBN 987-0-9556006-0-9
* Weller, M. (2007). Virtual Learning Environments: Using, choosing and developing your VLE - London. Routledge.

Notes

External links

; Reports/articles
* [http://www.scholarsearchassoc.com/MICRA043004.htm Bob McDonald "E-Learning at Cranbrook: Up Close and Personal" (2004) Cranbrook Schools]
* Graf S., List, B. (2005) " [http://www.wit.at/people/list/publications/icalt2005.pdf An Evaluation of Open Source E-Learning Platforms Stressing Adaptation Issues] " - an evaluation of 9 open source E-Learning Platforms.

* EVALUATING THE POTENTIAL FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS (VLES) JOHN GARDNER, MARY MALLON, PAMELA COWAN AND MIRIAM MCARDLEGraduate School of Education, Queen’s University Belfast and C2k, Lanyon Place,Belfast http://www.deni.gov.uk/vle_final.pdf

VLE - Virtual Learning Environment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_learning_environment