
This conceptual study investigates the ability to connect learners Personal Learning
Environments (PLE) by a central, permeable and social Learning Management System
(LMS). Within the exemplary scope of bookmarking tools as an element of learners PLE
in Higher Education (HE), the relevance of this conceptual idea is shown with reference
to the social bookmarking tool “Edutags” as well as by a survey about the heterogeneity
and use cases of bookmarking tools in distance learners PLE. As the analysis shows the
issue of connecting PLEs – a metaphor with can be adopted from “bridges” in graph
theory and social network analyses – refers to a non dominant and inconsistent design
of a LMS. Theoretical questions concerning the relation between personal and social,
institutional and private, consistency and heterogeneity are addressed. As a framework
for implementing the interface, the Content Management System “Drupal” is considered
as well as the social Learning Management System “OnlineCampus Next Generation”.