Elgg - Learning Network and Environment

Purpose

Traditional virtual learning environments (VLEs) are structured around courses, timetables and assessment. David Tosh, one of its creators has said "Elgg is all about a learner-centred, learner-controlled space in which you choose the connections, the resources and the communities you want to participate in".

Short description how Elgg can be used

Elgg combines social software such as weblogs, wikis and other resources for education. This web application helps reshape e-learning into personal and social. Relevant reading about Elgg

Personal versus social space

Elgg gives learners a personal space (Personal Learning Environment - PLE) online to discuss, publish work in progress and link to and comment on relevant resources. Elgg also gives learners a social space (social networking space) to find and link up with other learners with similar interests to create a learning community.

Personal space versus e-portfolio for learning

Elgg will serve as e-portfolio for learning to support learners’ reflection and knowledge construction. Elgg allows users to decide exactly who can view their content. Different levels of access can be set for individual blog entries, so some posts can be fully public and others only readable by a particular group or individual. You can read a feedback of my peer Vicente about the differences between PLE and e-portfolio in the course New Methods of Assessment.

Some Elgg networking spaces

You are welcome to join PLE & e-portfolio group [4] if you are interested in the concepts PLE and e-portfolio for learning. I encourage you to bring to the attention of peers web pages, articles, and other resources that are relevant to this topic.