In view of the present attempts to broaden the scope of educational
research as far as learning is concerned, there has been increased
interest in the functional environment of the learner. Since this
environment includes psychological, pedagogical, sociological and even
cultural-anthropological variables, the term learning environment is
more often used. Traditionally this environment has consisted of the
teacher and students in a situation similar to the real context, for
instance in an apprenticeship. Although the apprenticeship form of
learning has almost disappeared in Western educational systems, its
characteristics can now be designed within intelligent learning
environments that have the computation and storage capacity of modern
technological innovations. The different perspectives regarding learning
environments have been bundled into this book in an overview of Dutch
and German research. These perspectives pertain to various system levels
(learning activities, class- room and school) and to various
disciplinary views (pedagogical, psychological, sociological).