Web-based interfaces – an attempt to clarify overlapping functionality with a portal.

  • Intranet: “…the line between intranets and portal appears to be blurred. … we would suggest that an intranet should be considered a portal when it can aggregate and integrate diverse sources of information.” [5]
  • Web gateway: The portal type most people will be familiar with is that of the web gateways such as Yahoo. These provide a searchable interface to other resources on the web. However, on an institutional portal basis, ‘A portal may look like a Web site, but it is much more than that. Although a Web site is an important part of any university’s communication strategy, it is primarily a way to provide static information.’ [9]
  • Virtual Learning Environment (VLE): ‘the “online” interactions of various kinds which take place between learners and tutors. … the components in which learners and tutors participate in “online” interactions of various kinds, including online learning.’ [10]
  • Managed Learning Environment (MLE): ‘… the whole range of information systems and processes of a college (including its VLE if it has one) that contribute directly, or indirectly, to learning and the management of that learning.’ [10]
  • ‘Collect e-tools together and you have a VLE, collect the VLE with student record and digital library and you have an MLE, wrap around the MLE a standard access interface, add a content management system and you have a portal’. [11]

A portal architecture can thus be illustrated by the following diagram:


Figure 3 Portal architecture showing overlapping functionality with an MLE and a VLE [12]

References are on next page

  1. Middleton, B. Academic Services Institutional Portal Project – Project Brief, version 1.5. Available from: [Accessed 14/6/04]
  1. Middleton, B. Academic Services Institutional Portal Project – Interim Report. Available from: [Accessed 14/6/04]
  1. Middleton, B. Academic Services Institutional Portal Project – User Requirements Report. Available from: [Accessed 14/6/04]
  1. JISC. 2002 Information Environment Development Strategy. Available from: [Accessed 14/6/04]
  1. Dolphin, I., Miller, P., & Sherratt, R., 2002. Portals, PORTALs everywhere. Ariadne. 33. Available from: 33/portals/[Accessed 14/6/04]
  1. Stuckes, J., 2002. Avoiding portal wars: a JISC view. Available from: 14/6/04]
  1. Katz, R.N. It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a …portal? In: Katz, R.N. et al. Web Portals in Higher Education: Technologies to Make IT Personal. 2002. Available from: [Accessed 14/6/04]
  1. Bye, R. Portal Project Usability Report. 2004 Available at: [Accessed 14/6/04]
  1. Daigle, S. L. & Cuocco, P. M. Portal Technology Opportunities, Obstacles, andOptions: A View from the CaliforniaStateUniversity. In: Katz, R.N. et al. Web Portalsin Higher Education: Technologies to Make IT Personal. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco. 2002. Available from: [Accessed 14/6/04]
  1. JISC 2001. Briefing paper no.1: MLEs and VLEs explained. Available from [Accessed 14/6/04]
  1. Kemp, C. Portals - a report for the Director of Educational Strategy. QMUC 2002. (Quote from personal communication with Toole). Available at:

(I have a paper copy of this report but can no longer find it on the web).

  1. Phillips, T and Browning, P. University of Bristol Portal Project Proposal. 2002. Available from: [Accessed 14/6/04]
  1. Frazee, J. SDSU Rubric for Rating Commercial Portal Vendors. 2001. Available from: [Accessed 14/6/04]