ICT and project-based education : some findings from an exploratory research study

This paper contributes to the discussion on information and communication technology (ICT) for educational purposes. Research was done on the use a virtual learning environment (VLE) based on Internet technology during a practical course for economic students at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The VLE has been used for many differerent purposes such as to support team learning, to inform students about course-specific issues, to support communication between students, to publish students’ results, and to evaluate the assignments. The paper discusses the various learning and teaching processes that took place and the influence of using the VLE on these processes. It is argued that the use of the VLE for educational purposes is dynamic as it might influence learning and teaching in various different ways