A VLE is a Web-based package designed to help teachers create online courses, together with facilities for teacher-learner communication and peer-to-peer communication. VLEs can be used to deliver learning materials within an institution or within a local education authority. They may even address a wider constituency, and can even be used on a worldwide basis. VLEs have certain advantages in terms of ease of delivery and management of learning materials. They may, however, be restrictive in that the underlying pedagogy attempts to address a very wide range of subjects, and thus does not necessarily fit in with established practice in language learning and teaching. For this reason some critics argue in favour of a less restrictive Personal Learning Environment (PLE). The two most widely used VLEs in language teaching and learning are Blackboard and Moodle. VLEs may also be referred to as Course Management System (CMS), Learning Management System (LMS), Learning Platform and Learning Support System (LSS). Compare also Managed Learning Environment (MLE). See Blended Learning, Distance Learning, Online Learning. See the following ICT4LT modules: Section 7, Module 1.4 under the heading Distance learning. Section 8, Module 1.5 under the heading Distance learning and the Web: VLEs, MLEs, etc. Section 3.1, Module 2.3 under the heading Web-based CALL