Abstract:

FisicAVA is a virtual learning environment (VLE) which is emerging as a research project given the need to enhance the learning process in the university community.

FisicAVA was designed with the firm intention of support as a teaching tool for teachers and students of the Faculty of Technology at Distrital University .The VLE has different systems which divides application functionality, these systems are: registration system (where users are registered for admission to the virtual environment), communication system (which will be published news and events developed within and outside the virtual environment), help system (which allows users to guide about the handling of the VLE), content management system (which allows teachers to upload their content and teachers and students to download various content inside the VLE), community management system (the system that allows you to build communities or interest groups in which teachers and students can discuss specific issues) and system interaction comprises chat forum, and wiki weblog.

The virtual learning environment was developed under the constructivist teaching model and the software development methodology RUP (Rational Unified Process) and was developed under the Java J2EE technology with the database engine PostgreSQL.

Problems or needs that led to the development of this virtual environment were identified and summarized in three points: lack of development of independent work by students outside the classroom, lack of interaction and communication between teachers and students outside the classroom class because of timetables and difficulty in access to content and / or material.

The virtual learning environment was finished in August 2008 and tested the following 5 months after testing the virtual learning environment has registered about 80 students and two teachers doing continued use of the virtual learning environment. We also hope that in the second part of 2009 the VLE register new students and teachers, for the virtual environment continues to grow up.

At the conclusion of our investigation we can say that the development of a virtual learning environment involves different disciplines and professions such as: teachers, educators, engineers, designers and developers as well that all educational software should have defined the pedagogical model and the interests of by using actors to work.

Keywords:

virtual learning environments (vle), educational software, community.