What is the difference between a VLE and an MLE?

According to JISC’s Overview of MLE issues, the term ‘managed learning environment’ (MLE) refers to the whole range of information systems and processes of a college or university (including its VLE if it has one) that contribute directly, or indirectly, to learning and the management of that learning.

Typically, an MLE could include any online registration process for students, student information systems, quality assurance processes and a VLE such as WebCT, Blackboard or Learnwise. The chart below, from a JISC briefing paper on VLEs and MLEs shows linkages between MLEs and VLEs.

Chart showing linkages between MLEs and VLEs

It will be seen that the MLE is a much larger concept than the VLE. The reference to ‘IMS’ (Instructional Management System) shows managed connections between learning resources, quality assurance processes and the VLE. Few universities have yet developed such integration of systems. The word ‘instructional’, also found in some VLEs such as WebCT, might not be thought appropriate for describing the learning context for law.

Last Modified: 4 June 2010