Evaluation of an Open-Source Web-Based Learning environment (Future Learning Environment - Fle 3)

The title of this dissertation: 'An evaluation of an Open-Source Web­ Based Learning Environment (Fle3)- Future Learning Environment', describes a study which explored  students' responses and reactions to web-based learning environment in supporting the  student-centred and collaborative approach. The Future Learning Environment is design to produce an  Internet-accessible applications to support learning and thinking, producing web-based multimedia  learning material concerned with New Media, and developing the publishing process of network­ based  multimedia learning material. The study was using the latest version of Fle3 which is more specific  as a server software for supporting computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL).  The study  was undertaken among undergraduate students in Sultan Idris, University of Education, Malaysia  (UPSI) and postgraduate students at Department of Computing and Electrical Engineering (CEE),  Heriot Watt University. The finding revealed that while the majority of the students saw valued to  be gained from learning in a student-centred and collaborative setting, many expressed a preference  for learning in more conventional teacher­ directed forms. The study also sought to explore the  potential of the environment to develop problem-solving skills and to determine factors, which impeded students' success and achievement.