The use of VLE within education

A further topic of interest is the use of virtual learning environments (VLE) within teaching and learning.
Again as students are now more technologically confident using this as a method of delivery should surely only become beneficial?
The question of student and teacher participation however is an obstacle at present whereby VLE’s are being used more as a repository rather than a frequented tool for learning.

Student research skills

The use of web searches and wiki’s have changed the face of research skills for students within education. As individuals become more ‘computer savvy’ the reliance on websites to hold accurate and true information without further investigation is a daily occurrence.

With social networking sites such as ‘face book’ and ‘twitter’ being a hub for collective activity are students becoming too IT reliant for all aspects of their lives? Are books and journals becoming old hat? And is it the end of traditional research skills?