Learning platforms are central to the government's vision of where ICT and eLearning will progress in the future. From collaboration and communication between schools, across regions and internationally, to personalised learning spaces meeting the needs of individual pupils, the potential is vast. It can also be extremely confusing for schools wondering where to start or for those wanting to further develop their existing provision.  
 

By definition a learning platform is simply a generic term for a wide variety of ICT systems. In its simplest sense a learning platform is a tool that can be used to assist in the delivery of learning with a key characteristic being its ability to support an e-portfolio. The government's target is that, by 2007-08, all pupils will have access to this type of personalised online workspace.

 
In line with this overarching objective Becta has outlined the minimum functionality requirements and will be announcing a procurement framework of suppliers in early 2007. In preparation for this, from 2006-07 local authorities have some retained capital funding to support the core provision of a learning platform to all schools. And there is also a provision made to support learning platform implementation through schools' revenue funding.  

 
Implementing a learning platform is a major undertaking but there is a great deal of advice and expertise available to support schools through the process. Local authorities through their Regional Broadband Consortia (RBCs) do achieve economies of scale through aggregation of costs, delivering better value for money for schools, while also providing knowledge, advice and guidance.