The Use of Virtual Learning Environment and the Development of a Customised Framework/Model for Teaching and Learning Process in Developing Countries

The use of virtual learning environment for teaching and learning provision is one of the concepts that are changing the frontier of knowledge acquisition in today’s educational arena. The flexibility of online learning space can offer developing countries great opportunities in supporting varied learning methodologies. However, it appears that most virtual learning environment framework/models already in use today are not always easily accessible by the students and lecturers who are supposed to use them due to some constrained factors. In such a constrained resource setting, access and use of some of these software platforms for the development of education are limited. This is due primarily to the intractable problem of infrastructural, technological (including internet), educational policy formation, environmental and economic factors limiting progress. In this paper, we examine virtual learning environment framework/models that are already in use by various tertiary institutions across the globe. As we do this, we have come up with amalgamated framework from two existing frameworks, and then developed a model called NDA Customised VLE System Model (CVLESM) for a customised VLE platform in Nigeria. The proposed model has a four level platform: the teacher, student, institution admin and the customised application software. Users will have the option of interacting with the institution’s network systems through the university portal, but also with proposed ‘Mobile App’, which might be downloaded onto any internet connected device including mobile phones. This is novel in this study