VLE or VLP ?

William Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet -
'What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;'

What matters is what something is, not what it is called but where do the boundaries lie?

A Learning Platform (LP) is “a generic term to describe a system of information and communication technologies that is used to deliver and support leaning” (DfES)

A virtual learning environment (VLE) is a software system designed to help teachers by facilitating the management of educational courses for their students, especially by helping teachers and learners with course administration. The system can often track the learners' progress, which can be monitored by both teachers and learners. While frequently thought of as primarily tools for distance education, they are most often used to supplement the face-to-face classroom.(Wikipedia)

I have spent some time now pondering the 'electronic space' conundrum and have read much about the various merits of the vast variety of systems on offer. My current view is that there ought to be one idea and one meaning and one system and I just can't imagine why there isn't. ( Naive or what !)

I was in a primary school the other day and the head told me that in her group when her colleagues realised that they needed to do something they asked their LA who told them that 'it' could not give advice as to which way to turn but could give them places to look. The heads did not want this ... in reality they wanted someone who knew and someone who could help to make the decision for them. What happened was that they all did nothing .... for a long while ... then one head said 'I'm going to go down this line.' ... and everyone else said 'Okay , we will do that too.'

So I asked if the thing that they had chosen was a Virtual Learning Platform or a Virtual Learning Environment ? ... and that just stopped the conversation. VLP or VLE .. which TLA do you want?

My current view is that a VLP is a carrier bag in which you drop everything else ... with luck and a following wind ... when you shake them all together they become interoperable ... isn't the Internet a VLP ?

All views greatly appreciated.