'The PLE is a unique interface into the owners digital environment. It integrates their personal and professional interests (including their formal and informal learning), connecting these via a series of syndicated and distributed feeds. The PLE is also a portfolio system allowing the user to maintain their repository of content and selectively share that content as needed. It is also a profile system, exposing the users interests in a variety of ways allowing automated, but selective search of the individual and their digital contributions. Of course, the PLE is a social as well as an information environment, connecting the user to individuals and cooperative events and activities throughout the Net.'
(source: Terry Anderson's weblog, January 9th 2006 link.)

I think the PLE is an extremely valuable educational tool. On the other hand I wonder whether it will fully replace the traditional VLE. I think it is about time that VLE's move on and open up to PLE components. Tools can be included within the VLE architecture, but they MUST be open to the outside world. The new style of learning together simply cannot be restricted to modules, courses or even institutions...