The purpose of this research was to develop a collaborative e-Learning framework using summarised videos as learning media to provide a more efficient learning experience where participants' engagement and motivations are enhanced. The research aims to increase participants' overall learning level, understanding level; motivation and communication skills. For this research, a collaborative environment has been built where students participate in a video sharing system allowing them to create their own summarized Videos from existing course video material. Students can then share these videos with other system participants with the ability to view, rate and comment on videos. Instructors upload the core video footage, which the students are able to edit and summarize. Two experiments were run with live modules within the Department of Informatics; a pilot study and full experiment. Feedback from the pilot study was used to develop the framework for the full study. The experiments involved pre and post participation surveys to measure satisfaction and awareness effects. Also, system participation data was used for analysis of engagement and other factors defining the outcomes of this experiment. The findings showed a considerable increase in student satisfaction regarding their understanding and motivation with video summarization tool used in the experiments. The results of [the] collaboration aspect of the experiment showed a slight increase in their satisfaction on their learning level, however, it had minimal effect on students' motivation and engagement as no significant difference was noted after using the system.

Much of the research literature relating to the use of virtual learning environments (VLEs) to support teaching and learning focuses on their use in higher and further education. This thesis makes a contribution to the study of such environments in relation to secondary schools in the UK. A number of common themes were identified from the literature review that was part of my original critical analytical study and which is updated here. The themes included assessment, differentiation, collaboration and flexible learning practices. These were investigated in one school, over the course of one year, during the introduction of a local authority approved virtual learning environment. I had assumed that the use of the technology would have a transformational effect on teacher practice. In reality for most of the time the technology was used to reaffirm an existing classroom way of doing things. The conceptual framework that guides the investigation was based on action research, influenced by social constructionism and critical theory. It employs aspects of a second-generation model of activity theory to explore the tensions that may arise in a classroom when technology is introduced. A phased approach was adopted towards the collection of data, given the complexities of both classroom practice and the technology employed. This ranged from the use of questionnaires and technical data from the VLE when it was initially introduced, to interviews and classroom observations as teachers became more confident in its use, through to the design of an intervention that enabled a more in depth exploration of what was happening. This research revealed that where the use of the technology was most effective in supporting approaches to personalised learning, a number of key components were combined. I have proposed that where teachers have the technical skills to use a VLE, linked to an understanding of the theories and models associated with online learning and where they structure their teaching outside the confines of the traditional lesson format, then online technologies support personalised learning.