Title: Campus-based managed learning environments: beyond technology

Authors: Pat Jefferies, Peter Waterhouse

Addresses: School of Education, De Montfort University, Polhill Campus, Polhill Avenue, MK41 9EA, Bedford, UK. ' De Montfort University, Kents Hill Campus, Hammerwood Gate, Milton Keynes, MK7 6HP, UK

Abstract: Widening participation and student progression/retention are just a few of the various and burgeoning pressures prompting the increase in development and implementation of information technology systems within higher education (HE). Such implementation has, more recently taken the form of either virtual or managed learning environments (VLEs/MLEs). The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to identify the framework of forces that impact on the development of campus-based managed learning environments. The experience of the authors has led them to believe that VLEs/MLEs are developed following logical processes that try to reconcile the technical and pedagogical issues. However, this process has not necessarily accommodated the social, political and organisational issues of stakeholders that must be addressed for successful implementation in the campus-based context. As such the paper will: identify some of the main stakeholder groups in terms of their various aspirations and the degree of control they exercise; investigate some of the pedagogical issues as expressed in a variety of journal articles and texts; review current VLE/MLE development within De Montfort University; and identify some of the constraints implied by the theory and guidelines currently being proposed for future learning environments. Finally, the paper will provide recommendations in terms of development and implementation issues that will need to be addressed in order to create a more effective and efficient learning and teaching environment within HE.

Keywords: higher education; managed learning environments; campus-based; technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWET.2004.004127

International Journal of Web Engineering and Technology, 2004 Vol.1 No.2, pp.168 - 181

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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