The definition of the Personal Learning Environment needs clarification.  It seems best that I quote from Chris Swaine, Project Lead at Becta:

'Colleagues may be interested to note that over a period of months, Becta has been developing a view on how technology can support and enhance the personalisation of learning, which also includes the learning environment.

'Our view has been based on considerable research and consultation. However, it was decided that the paper itself should be short and succinct. We also wanted to produce a view that was practical, pragmatic and meaningful and that started to build a common language that could be adopted across sectors.

'The language used in the paper has been carefully chosen so that it is readily understandable. It also reflects the thinking and views expressed through our extensive research and consultation. The term 'e-learning' is deliberately not used in the document.

'Instead of producing 'yet another' definition, we have identified some key characteristics:

• Personalising learning is learner-centred.

• It is an inclusive process which challenges those involved to meet the needs of all learners, particularly those learners who are vulnerable or hard to reach.

• Personalising learning is not the same as individualised learning. Nor is it letting learners work at their own slowest pace or a return to "child-centred education".

'The following key words and phrases describe essential characteristics of personalising learning:

• inclusion; choice and preference;

• engagement and participation;

• responsiveness;

• flexibility;

• tailored and adaptable;

• and, independence.

'We have also identified 7 broad elements to personalisation :

• The learning and teaching dynamic

• Assessment

• Flexible curriculum

• Learning environment

• Support networks

• Personalised content

• Responsive infrastructure

Under each element, we have identified a range of 'tier 2' statements. We are currently inviting you to contribute to this debate by exemplifying these statements.

Visit the virtual discussion area at: www.personalisinglearning.info/vle  and contribute to the debate. You can also download our paper from here.

Graham Attwell is another voice expressing clear thinking on the whole problem of data management and PLEs.  Two of his papers and the forthcoming conference (in Athens!) show  something of the many issues to be considered:

1. 'Hey Dude, Where's my data'   (2-page .pdf file) is a thought provoking transcription of some of the issues addressed at the Bazaar conference held in Barcelona last year.

2. The paper published by  Elearning Papers,  'Personal Learning Environments'   (8-page .pdf file) addresses a whole range of issues related specifically to defining policies and future practice for PLEs.

3. The proposed conference in Athens might be beyond many of us but the outline programme (2-page .pdf file) is provocative enough - we eagerly await the outcome, Graham!

Becta (inevitably) has a useful page  'Providing a personalised online learning space'

Having studied all of the above documents, and much more, I list my own set of simple conclusions, partly to clarify thinking in my own mind!   Please see the next page:

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