The document summarizes the journey of exploring different virtual learning environments (VLEs) over time in an effort to find an ideal collaborative and social learning platform called "iTopia". It discusses various VLEs tried between 2002-2010, including WebCT, OLS, Elgg, Mahara, CollectiveX, and Ning. Key lessons learned emphasized the need for a blended, collaborative approach without institutional limitations that supports an "Ubuntu" philosophy of learning as a community. The exploration is part of a larger NextEd initiative to create a global educational network based on these principles through collaboration on platforms like Ning and NextEd.info.

1. Exploring the Frontiers of e-Learning @ UKZN 2010 Teaching and Learning Portal: Learning and Sharing Blewett & Quilling

2. Learning & Sharing Sharing our Learning Learning by Sharing

4. What will they do when… Students don’t know how to write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. What will they do when they run out of paper? They run out of iPads…

5. Tomorrow is Yesterday? “ Who dares to teach must never cease to learn” (John Cotton Dana) Office 1875 Office 2010

6. Where are we going? Where are we going?

9. “ A traveller through a country would stop at a village and he didn't have to ask for food or for water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him…Ubuntu does not mean that people should not enrich themselves. The question therefore is: Are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve?” (Nelson Mandela)

11. Our VLE Journey to iTopia Mt. Institutionus Ravines of Technicality CLOUDe Valley éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003

13. Our VLE Journey to iTopia Mt. Institutionus Ravines of Technicality CLOUDe Valley éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007

15. Our VLE Journey to iTopia Mt. Institutionus Ravines of Technicality CLOUDe Valley éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007 Elgg – (2008)

17. Our VLE Journey to iTopia Mt. Institutionus Ravines of Technicality CLOUDe Valley éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007 Elgg – (2008) Ning – 2008

19. Our VLE Journey to iTopia Mt. Institutionus Ravines of Technicality CLOUDe Valley éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007 Elgg – (2008) Mahara – 2008 Ning – 2008

21. Our VLE Journey to iTopia Mt. Institutionus Ravines of Technicality CLOUDe Valley éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007 Elgg – (2008) Mahara – 2008 CollectiveX – 2009 Ning – 2008

23. Our VLE Journey to iTopia Mt. Institutionus Ravines of Technicality CLOUDe Valley éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007 Elgg – (2008) Mahara – 2008 CollectiveX – 2009 Grou.ps – 2009 Ning – 2008

25. Our VLE Journey to iTopia Ning - 2010 Mt. Institutionus Ravines of Technicality CLOUDe Valley éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007 Elgg – (2008) Mahara – 2008 CollectiveX – 2009 Grou.ps – 2009 Ning – 2008

27. Have we found iTopia? NO…. But, we’re developing a map…

30. University 2.0 Project

31. 2Togethger to iTopia Ning - 2010 Mt. Institutionus Ravines of Technicality CLOUDe Valley éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007 Elgg – (2008) Mahara – 2008 CollectiveX – 2009 Grou.ps – 2009 Ning – 2008

32. NextEd.info – Educator Collaboration

33. Groups, Forums, Blogs, Tweets…brain stream

35. The times…they are a changing…

36. Stepping into new frontiers Are you coming? Or are you still wondering what they will do when they run out of iPads?