[Air-L] Mobile Apps For Virtual Learning Environments

[McKiernan, Gerard [LIB]]

Colleagues/ 

 

I am greatly interested in learning of the availability of mobile apps
that interface with any/all Virtual Learning Environments.  As defined
in Wikipedia

 

"A virtual learning environment (VLE) is a software system designed to
support teaching and learning in an educational setting, as distinct
from a Managed Learning Environment (MLE) where the focus is on
management. A VLE will normally work over the Internet and provide a
collection of tools such as those for assessment (particularly of types
that can be marked automatically, such as multiple choice),
communication, uploading of content, return of students' work, peer
assessment, administration of student groups, collecting and organizing
student grades, questionnaires, tracking tools, etc. New features in
these systems include wikis, blogs, RSS and 3D virtual learning spaces.

 

While originally created for distance education, VLEs are now most often
used to supplement traditional face to face classroom activities,
commonly known as Blended Learning." 

 

The better known systems include Sakai (Open Source), Moodle Open
source), Blackboard and WebCT.

 

BTW: I've just learned that Blackboard released a free application
(Blackboard Learn(tm)) for the iPhone/iTouch last month.

 

>>Institutions<<

 

"Blackboard Learn for the Apple iPhone and iPod touch is an application
that lets users receive notifications of changes and updates to their
Blackboard courses and organizations in their iPhone or iPod touch
mobile device. 

 

These include updates on new Assignments, Course Content, Study Group
updates, Community Discussions, even Grades. 

 

Currently this application is only available in English and is available
for download through the Apple iTunes App Store ... ."

 

If You Use Any Mobile App Or Are Aware Of Such Apps For Any Type Of
Virtual Learning Environment, Please Comment On The Associated Blog
Entry At

 

[ http://tinyurl.com/cmy6ug ]

 

Thanks! 

 

/Gerry

 

Gerry McKiernan 

Associate Professor 

Science and Technology Librarian 

Iowa State University Library 

Ames IA 50011 

 

gerrymck at iastate.edu   

 

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Victor Hugo 

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