Personal Learning Environments
The majority of VLEs currently in use are server-based, and designed to be
used as institutional systems. However this creates a problem for students
as they move between institutions, since they may need to learn how to use
different environments based at different institutions. Development in
interoperability standards now make it possible to conceive of personal
environments that interact with institutional systems, presenting courses
and related information in a way customised to suit the individual, and
allowing them to assemble a set of tools and resources that suit the way
they wish to learn, connecting to an underlying service based
infrastructure such as that proposed by the eLearning Framework.
Aims and Objectives
The overall aim of the project is to elaborate and develop the emerging
Personal Learning Environment concept in order to enable, in Phase 2 of the
current JISC programme cycle, such a platform to be developed incorporating
existing open source developments, and then, in Phase 3, further projects
to build on and extend this platform. The reference implementation of a PLE
is to illuminate and inform other innovations in this area that can be
developed and deployed, and to provide a technical base for enhanced
sustainability.
The specific objectives are to:
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Elaborate a definition of a PLE, grounded in a solid theoretical
foundation (pedagogic, technical and organisational)
-
Review and investigate a range of technical development options for PLEs
(desktop application, portal)
-
Develop a specification/reference model for PLEs
-
Develop at least one prototype reference implementation of a PLE
-
Scope the next stage of work for PLE
Project Methodology
The project has three main activity types:
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Researching and developing a theoretical foundation for the domain,
including pedagogic, social, technological and organisational concerns;
this will be undertaken through desk research
-
Developing a reference model and specification for a PLE: this involves
UML design and modelling
-
Prototype development: this involves rapid software development based on
existing components as far as possible.
The project is using a Wiki as its main coordination tool, allowing all
project workpackages to remain coordinated.
Implications/ Deliverables/ Stakeholders
The purpose of the specification, if shown to be feasible, will be to
enable, in Phase 2 of the current JISC Programme cycle, such a platform or
platforms to be developed incorporating existing open source developments,
and then, in Phase 3, further projects to build on and extend this
platform.
The purpose of the reference implementation of a PLE is to illuminate and
inform other innovations in this area that can be developed and deployed,
and to provide a technical base for enhanced sustainability.
Project Staff
Prof. Oleg Liber (Project Manager)
CETIS,
University of Bolton,
Deane Rd,
Bolton BL3 5AB
Tel: 01204 903660
Email: o.liber@bolton.ac.uk
Project Team