With the various funding initiatives, Subject Learning Coaches, eGuides and the 'hands-on' (on the ground) work of the Regional Support Centre Advisers and partner organisations, the face of eLearning/ILT (Information and Learning Technology) has been steadily changing. From the early developments of universities and the corporate systems available at a cost, each 'team' has had a different perspective on what should be available and why.

Initial developments were based on content management concepts and repositories with little regard to learning styles or classroom/workplace Teaching & Learning. More recently, individuals have been striving to develop environments that are based in tune with pedagogical practice.

In administration, management, teaching and learning the use of technology to enhance current practice is being encouraged more and more.

Virtual Learning Environments (VLE's) are another tool to add to a learning provider's toolbox; a tool that can enrich and expand the learning experience.

At the heart of the use of any VLE, used by a learning provider, should be the desire to expand and extend the learning process - evident in both the staff using the system and in those managing the VLE.

eLearning is probably one of the hottest topics within learning providers here in the UK. This eMagazine Supplement is designed to give readers a broader understanding of the issues involved in making decisions that lead to the implementation of an eLearning environment within a learning provider's organisation.

This eMagazine Supplement draws on the experiences of...

• my colleagues within the JISC Regional Support Centres;
• supported learning providers, here in the northwest of England, including HE, FE Colleges, Specialist Colleges, 6th Form Colleges, Personal & Community Learning provided by Local Authorities and Work Based Learning Providers funded by the LSC;

plus...

• information gathered from and/or disseminated by JISC and/or our partner organisations, conferences and papers;

• my own personal experiences as an eLearning Adviser: chairing Strategic Implementation Groups, Supporting VLE implementations, attending VLE Forums, developing Staff Development Resources (including eBooks and downloadable zipped eXe files for use on VLEs), running uNET workshops (using New & Emerging Technologies) etc.