What is a learning object, technically?

1
What is a learning object, technically?

• Albert Ip
• Prof. Iain Morrison
• Mike Currie

2
Confusing definition of Learning Object

• IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee
  (LTSC)
• any entity, digital or non-digital, that can be
  used, re-used, or referenced during technology
  supported learning

3
Confusing definition of Learning Object

• Computer-based training (CBT) vendor NETg, Inc.
• a learning objective,
• a unit of instruction that teaches the objective,
  
• a unit of assessment that measures the objective.

4
Confusing definition of Learning Object

• Another CBT vendor, Asymetrix
• pre-scripted elements that simplify programming
  provide instantaneous programming power

5
Confusing definition of Learning Object

• Educational Objects Economy
• Java Applets only

6
Avoid using learning object

• SCORM - content object
• David Merrill - knowledge objects
• ARIADNE - pedagogical documents
• ESCOT - educational software components
• MERLOT - resources
• Ip Canale - Virtual Apparatus

7
Learning Technologists focus

• Granularity
• Metadata description (LOM)
• Internal Structure
• layers
• NETg vs Ip

8
Educator focus

• Pedagogical designs review

9
Tutorial, Drill and Practice

• a tutorial environment
• a testing/assessment environment
• Reuse unit
• items
• tests

10
Case Method

• A teaching case is a story describing, or based
  on, actual events, that justifies careful study
  and analysis by students
• discussion-based and experiential
• Reuse Unit
• teaching case

11
Goal-based learning

• simulations in which there is a problem to
  resolve, or a mission to complete.
• require learners to assume the main role in the
  resolution of the problem or the pursuit of their
  mission
• Reuse Unit
• scenario
• Supporting experience

12
Learning by designing

• core learning activity is the design of an
  artifact.
• practice-based disciplines (engineering
  architecture)
• Reuse Unit
• none

13
Web-based role-play simulation

• learners take on the role-profiles of specific
  characters in a contrived educational game
  (Linser, Naidu, Ip, 1999)
• acquire the intended learning outcomes make
  learning enjoyable
• Reuse Unit
• scenario, role descriptions
• resources

14
Distributed problem-based learning

• exemplifies authentic learning and emphasizes
  solving problems in rich contexts
• Reuse Unit
• problems

15
Critical incident-based computer supported
learning

• A critical incident (from the workplace) presents
  a learner with a learning opportunity to reflect
  in and on action.
• Reuse Unit
• none
• learning support needed

16
Rule-based simulation

• Microworlds, or computer simulations of
  restricted environments
• Reuse Unit
• agents in microworlds

17
Exploratory Learning

• Through the process of discovery, or guided
  discovery, the student learns facts, concepts,
  and procedures.
• Reuse Unit
• resources and related metadata description for
  discovering the resources

18
Cognitive tool

• learn with interactive learning tools
• Reuse unit
• tools

19
Resource-based Learning Environment

• emphasizes a transformation of meaning through
  learner-centered, system-facilitated action
• Reuse unit
• resources

20
What was the issue again?

• Communities GAP!

21
Blind men the elephant
John Godfrey Saxe's ( 1816-1887) version of the
famous Indian legend
22
Types of resources

• specifically written up reading material
• resources originally created for other purposes
• multimedia resource (content, situations and
  authority)
• structured resources (together with
  interactivity)
• special software

23
Observations

• NOT only information shoveling
• Learning vs Teaching Resources
• Reuse
• content
• interactivity supporting software

24
Relationship between communities

• Consumer / producer relationship
• Goods interactivity software
• Value-chain
• s/w content
• Other players
• discovery services .
• Standards to support interoperability