the use of PLE and VLE/LMS in EFL teaching

I like the choices of tools available on the web. I try them all and when one suits my needs I use it. I blog, tweet, map, tag, chat, skype, and text heaps.

Moreover, I sometimes get restricted to access to many of these sites, so I feel at a disadvantage to people like me who try everything. I think if a course requires us to use a tool, we have to be able to access it through the university website. Also my social networking site I access at home is now trying to charge for the service. So how long these "free tools" remain free?

But in general, learning is about what we want from it, not being restricted to simple old-fashioned tools. it's like having too travel by bike when there is a fast train to be taken. there are many of us trying to update our skills and get a handle on this new technology. we need a careful introduction, not just exposed to a free for all!

This is ok for the young technologically minded people. they can probably learn all themselves, the question, then, what do they need a university/school course for? Teachers in this regard, need to be more open-minded and develop more flexibility in their thinking. students will want to use the tools they know and like and why should they be restricted. if they want to meld their social life with their study and use the same environments, then great, I am all for it.

In developing countries, access can be poor and slow. in these circumstances, learning is not democratic as some have good access while others don't. however, we should be learning about the latest technology and the best way to do this is by working with it. the theory is fine, but I need to experience it as a learner to know how I can apply it in my teaching, although this is still very frustrating and time-consuming. but the essential tools should be provided by the university/school and we should access the web for experience with other new tools.