A virtual learning environment is a software system designed to support teaching and learning in an educational setting, as distinct from a Managed Learning Environment where the focus is on management.

A virtual learning environment will normally work over the Internet and provide a collection of tools such as those for assessment, communication, uploading of content, return of students' work, peer assessment, administration of student groups, collecting and organizing student grades, questionnaires, tracking tools, etc.

New features in these systems include wikis, blogs, RSS and 3D virtual learning spaces.

While originally created for distance education, virtual learning environments are now most often used to supplement traditional face to face classroom activities, commonly known as Blended Learning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_learning_environment