This short article aims to highlight the background, key features and current vision of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) project at Ranvilles Infant School. The full version of this research project is available through the University of Winchester library: Aubrey-Smith, F.S., (2007) 'How the implementation of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) can affect the strategic development of a whole school. MA(Ed) Dissertation. University of Winchester.'

Broadgreen are one of the few high schools across the country that run a baccalaureate programme. The programme is highly successful one for their students and are Becta's ICT Excellence Awards 2008 - joint runner-up award winners for the Best whole school in the North West category.

Neil Oldbury at The Elizabethan School has a real interest in questionnaires and analysing data to improve systems throughout the school. He wanted to know which subject areas and teachers were using the computer suites throughout the school and whether the use of computers was impacting on raising standards.

Crossley Heath have used their Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in so many ways to improve teaching, the delivery of the curriculum as well as the enjoyment of learning taking place. The following description highlights the way the schools secure email system is being used to help students make dramatic improvements in the quantity and quality of assignments set.

Naace have been successful in securing a TDA bid won by Steven Coombes based at Bath Spa University and being delivered as a 'Visual Learning Course' by Christina Preston and John Cuthell at MirandaNet (based at The Institute of Education, London).

We return to the topic of 'personalisation' as a direct result of flurry of responses initiated by John Cuthell from the MirandaNet 'MirandaLink' asking what personalisation meant to them. Below are several statements from John which Geoff has responded to. Underneath are some points I picked out as particularly relevant to the idea of 'personalisation' - with Doug Highall from Kirklees reponding to the points I made.

This week we turn the focus onto how the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) funded Choice Adviser programme is rapidly becoming the latest success and how ICT is making a huge difference in guiding the project forwards. Pictured with Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street are some of the Choice Advisers. Set up 18 months ago in response to huge numbers of children not in school, as well as not being able to access the schools their parents had selected for them, the Choice Adviser Programme is having remarkable successes!

The talk lists have provided some really interesting and varied responses regarding VLEs. This week Roger Broadie and Martin Owen share their views ....

My thanks go to Ewan McIntosh for his link to the East Lothian Council who have kindly allowed Naace to share their guidelines for starting off a blog. To see further information regarding advice on blogging try their really helpful website: http://edubuzz.org/support.

After several colleagues sharing their views on what they see important within an e-portfolio - this week Ray Tolley defines what he sees as a rationale and structure to what he sees as the reason to have e-portfolios and what should go in them ...