Integration Of Learning Environments Research Articles

The Sustainable School as an Venue for Environmental Education

Sustainable schools are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly buildings that provide a healthy living environment and promote environmental education. Reference examples from abroad show the characteristics of sustainable schools as an expression of ecological design, circular construction and the integration of learning environments with nature and sports activities. We were interested in whether teachers recognize the sustainable features of the schools they teach in and to what extent they integrate them into the curriculum. We conducted a short survey in some Slovenian elementary school and came to the conclusion that teachers are mostly unaware of the sustainable features of the schools and do not include them in their learning processes. The results of the study can be used as recommendations for the introduction of sustainable school principles into the pedagogical and architectural profession.

Semantic Web Technologies for e-Learning: Models and Implementation

Nowadays the web can serve as a perfect technological environment for personalized learning which is suggested by educators and based on interactive learning objects. While a range of technological solutions for the development of integrated e-learning environments already exists, the most appropriate solutions require further improvement of the implementation of novel learning objects, unification of standardization and integration of learning environments, based on semantic web services that are still in the early stages of development. The aim of the research is to create a model for the development of semantic learning objects, connect it with the architecture of the educational system for semantic learning object design and to present the experimental part of the model’s impact on the course design process. The paper presents the research with the main question on how to improve the e-learning course with semantic learning objects by exploring the application of learning object design approaches, usability, performing modern training facilities and the learning object design model based on semantic web technologies.

Synchronous collaboration of virtual and remote laboratories

AbstractVirtual and remote laboratories(VRLs) are e‐learning resources which enhance the accessibility of experimental setups providing a distance teaching framework which meets the student's hands‐on learning needs. In addition, online collaborative communication represents a practical and a constructivist method to transmit the knowledge and experience from the teacher to students, overcoming physical distance and isolation. Thus, the integration of learning environments in the form of VRLs inside collaborative learning spaces is strongly desired. Considering these facts, the authors of this document present an original approach which enables user to share practical experiences while they work collaboratively through the Internet. This practical experimentation is based on VRLs, which have been integrated inside a synchronous collaborative e‐learning framework. This article describes the main features of this system and its successful application for science and engineering subjects. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 20: 124–136, 2012