An Overview and Introduction

An Online Learning Environment, Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), or Learning Management System (LMS), is a web-based tool that allows educators to share information and resources with student learners. In addition they can be used for communication, collaboration and for assessment (testing). These learning environments are used to support face-to-face (traditional classroom), blended and wholly online and distance learning.

The learning environment in your institution is likely to be the first place you look for course and module information, assessment guidelines and to access and review resources associated with the different topics studied. Often you can view or download documents, read information, watch videos as well as read and contribute to discussions in forums.

Some examples of learning environments include:

vle

These tools will usually allow the tutor to track student progress and increasingly can be used to help provide data to highlight how engaged students are with their learning. The learning environment will usually be integrated with other institutional systems that may include:

Course, Module and student information systems
Video streaming systems
Lecture recording
Assessment & Plagiarism detection
Library reading lists
Portfolios

E-Learning Support

Canvas

Library

"Go through the online tutorials on using the online learning environment" Ryan, 1st-year student