Restructuring Higher Education institutions in Europe: The case of virtual learning environments

Research has been carried out into the educational and training innovations resulting from the current implementation of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) in institutions of higher education in order to understand how these innovations interrelate with teaching and learning; the implications at the institutional level; and the cross-cultural diversity within virtual learning environments, with an emphasis on those that combine face-to-face and virtual learning. In an attempt at innovating public educational institutions through the restructuring and promotion of educational co-operation at the European level, a study was made of nine institutions that provide tertiary education and postgraduate training in six European countries.