Learning Objects

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Learning Objects

• Rachel Why
• EDTEC 448

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What is a Learning Object?

• According to Wiley, a Learning Object is any
  digital resource that can be reused to support
  learning.
• They are digital entities that are deliverable
  over the internet.
• Learning Objects are digital or non-digital
  entities that are used and re-used or referenced
  during technology supported learning.
• Examples

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Critical Attributes of Learning Objects

• Every use of an application MUST include the four
  following attributes to be considered a Learning
  Object.
• Reusable- the application in question must be
  able to be used in more then one setting
• Digital- It must be some type of multimedia
• Resource
• Learning- learning must occur

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What is Information?

• The flow of messages from one source to another.
  It is what is being presented.
• Examples
• Text information read on a webpage or in a
  textbook.
• Documentary information read in a magazine or
  watched on a television screen

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What is Instruction?

• How the information is presented. The presenter
  gathers the information and presents it in a
  specific manner so that the receiver will learn
  exactly and only what the presenter wants them to
  learn.
• Examples
• Videotapes and documentary films
• Textbooks

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What is Learning?

• The retention of the information presented during
  the instruction phase. The learner must be
  actively and cognitively processing the
  information being presented for Learning to take
  place.
• Learning is a personal experience and will differ
  from one person to the next.
• The level of learning will also vary from person
  to person.

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How are Learning, Instruction, and Information
related?

• Information is necessary for either Instruction
  or Learning to take place. Without it there is
  nothing to present or learn.
• Both Information and Instruction must be present
  for Learning to take place. If the Information
  is not presented (Instructed) then there is no
  means of Learning.
• Learning does not always happen when Information
  is presented through Instruction.

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What do Information, Instruction and Learning
have to do with Learning Objects?

• Information, Instruction, and Learning do not
  have anything to do with Learning Objects if some
  application of technology is not used.
• When an instructor uses multimedia either as the
  main part of their lesson or to enhance the
  lesson, then that particular type of multimedia
  is serving as a Learning Object for the lesson
  being presented.
• The Learning Object could appear as either the
  Information being presented or in the Instruction
  of the Information.

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Web-Based Learning VS Web-Enhanced Learning
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Learning Objects in Web-Based Learning (WBL) and
Web-Enhanced Learning (WEL)

• The obvious connection can be made that all three
  include the use of some form of technology
  application
• Any form of technology whether it be through WBL
  or WEL is a learning object under one condition.
  The application must be able to be REUSED in
  another lesson. Therefore if a resource only
  usable in one lesson (regardless of the number of
  times the lesson is performed) then that resource
  will not correctly serve as a Learning Object by
  Wileys definition.

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Resources

• Grabowski, B. L., and Small, R. V. (1991)
  Information, Instruction and Learning A
  Hypermedia Perspective.
• Koszalka, T. (1998) Web-based versus
  web-enhanced is there a difference?
• Wiley, D. A. Connecting learning objects to
  instructional design theory A definition, a
  metaphor, and a taxonomy.