Editing Fle3 (section)

===Fle-Tools (1998–1999)===
In the late 1990s the research, development and design team members of the first FLE project were greatly influenced by the work of [[Carl Bereiter]] and [[Marlene Scardamalia]], and their concept of [[Knowledge building]]. In the design of FLE software, Bereiter's and Scardamalia's Computer-Supported Intentional Learning Environment (CSILE) was used as a reference.

However, there are also many differences between the two software. For instance, already in the early design specifications of FLE there was the idea of shared artefacts that are collaboratively constructed alongside the knowledge building activities. In FLE vocabulary the activity, and the tool supporting it, is called “jamming”. Also the idea of archiving the results of the study work and to make them then available for other study groups makes FLE very different from the CSILE, which was primary designed to be a system used in a classroom. Another difference is related to the Web. From the very beginning FLE has been web-based system, and has taken in use all the advantages the flexible platform is offering, whereas the original CSILE was a client-server system.

The first prototype server with FLE software was set up in 1998 and announced in early 1999. The software was named to be Fle-Tools. The software was designed in [[Media Lab Helsinki|Media Lab]] in Helsinki but programmed by a Finnish company called NSD Consulting Oy.

Fle-Tools was developed in a Future Learning Environment project funded by [[Tekes (agency)|Tekes]] - the National Technology Agency of Finland. The project partners were [[Media Lab Helsinki|Media Lab]] of the [[University of Art and Design Helsinki]] (coordinator), [http://www.helsinki.fi/science/networkedlearning Centre for Research on Networked Learning and Knowledge Building] in the Department of Psychology of the [[University of Helsinki]], Finnish Ministry of Education, Finnish new media company Grey Interactive, Finnish teleoperator [[Sonera]], and Finnish educational publisher [[SanomaWSOY]].

Fle-Tools was described to be: (1) www-based service for computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL); (2) on-line learning community and teamwork environment; (3) collection of server-based applications and databases and (4) cross-platform for end users (www-browser in Linux, Mac, Win PC, WebTV, Nokia Communicator, etc.). The tools of Fle3-Tools were:

* WebTop: Personal open desk top in the web to store and share digital materials;
* Knowledge Building: Asynchronous conferencing system with 'Categories of Inquiry' and different searching capabilities (by date, person, category of inquiry, users own notes, answers to own notes);
* Jam Session: Asynchronous multi-user environment for collaborative design, writing, software development, etc.;
* Library: Adaptive medium to publish and browse multimedia course materials
* Administration: Tools for administer users, groups, courses and course materials.

In 1999 Fle-Tools was tested in several university course at the [[University of Helsinki]] and the [[Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture|University of Art and Design Helsinki]]. The results form the pilots were published in scientific conferences and journals.

In the end of 1999, The Finnish operator [[Sonera]], who was a key partner in the Future Learning Environment project, decided to draw back from the project and started to develop their own product based on Fle-Tools. This resulted as a breakdown of the original Future Learning Environment research and development project.<ref name=":2" />