Situated computing and virtual learning environments: E-learning and the benefits to the students learning

There has been much discussion and speculation over recent years around the benefits of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) in Higher Education. The 2009 Ofsted Report considered VLE's and raised a number of concerns, concluding that VLEs were least effective when they had little content or were merely a dumping ground for rarely used files. A review and investigation into virtual learning environments and the reported benefits has been undertaken to understand the value these pedagogic systems provide to the students, and how this has an impact on their learning journey within the programme of study. Distance learning and engagement is addresses. Situated computing is introduced. The paper concludes that the use of a VLE, when correctly implemented, improves student performance in terms of results with a perceived correlation in terms of engagement. © 2013 IEEE