The impact of cultural issues on learning object design and development

1
The impact of cultural issues on learning object
design and development

• Mei Qi, Tom Boyle, Yong Xue
• Learning Technology Research Institution
• London Metropolitan University

2
Introduction

• Cultural diversity exists in education and
  e-learning
• Quality of e-learning should be equal for all
• Cultural perspective is demanded for reusable
  learning objects

3
Culture

• , is that complex whole which includes
  knowledge, belief, morals, law, custom and any
  other habits and capabilities acquired by man as
  a member of society. ----- the first
  anthropological definition of culture by E. B.
  Tylor in 1871
• is the collective programming of the mind that
  distinguishes the members of one group or
  category of people from another (Hofestede 1991).

4
Meaning of Learning object

• A Learning object is an independent and
  self-standing unit of learning content that is
  predisposed to reuse in multiple instructional
  contexts. (Polsani 2003)
• A Learning object is about pedagogy
• A Learning object contains micro-context

5
A preliminary empirical study
LOs of Java Programming
Developed by LTRI
Used after translation
Used directly
Beijing Union University in Beijing, China
London Metropolitan University in London, UK
6

• Translation of the learning objects from English
  to Chinese

7
Cultural diversity can be understood at different
levels of learning objects

• Pedagogical level learning content, pedagogical
  pattern, teaching method, learning style, roles,
  etc.
• Presentation level language, navigation, layout
  of interface, etc.
• Prerequisite level infrastructure, learner
  attitude towards e-learning, computer skills and
  experience, etc.

8
Learning object design and development

• Pedagogical design
• Teaching and learning activity configuration
• Implementation

9
The cultural influences on the design and
development can be understood in a variety of
levels
Pedagogical Pattern
Configure Teaching/ Learning Activity
Pedagogical Design
Cultural Influence
Concrete Implementation
Presentation
Prerequisites
10
Culture-related variables affecting LOs design
development

• Learning content
• Instruction
• Interaction
• Illustration and exercise
• Navigation
• Language
• Communication
• Motivation and stimulation
• Interface
• Infrastructure
• Personal needs and pre-knowledge

11
Generating LOs with cultural sensitivity

• Meet the needs of learners who have different
  cultural background
• Promote the quality of education for all learners
  equally
• Enhance the reusability of LOs

12
Further work

• Mapping the culturally-related variables to the
  design and development of learning objects
• Using the generative learning object (GLO)
  authoring tool (developed by CETL) to realise the
  connection

13
Reference

• Hofstede Geert (1994) Cultures and Organizations,
  Intercultural Co-operation and its Importance for
  Survival, Software of Mind, McGraw-Hill
  International, UK
• Polsani P. R. (2003) Use and Abuse of Reusable
  Learning Objects, Journal of Digital Information,
  Volume 3 Issue 4,
• Tylor, Edward Burnett (1871) Primitive culture
  researches into the development of mythology,
  philosophy, religion, art, and custom, London
  Routledge/Thoemmes, 1994, vol. 2
• LTRI website http//www.londonmet.ac.uk/ltri/
• CETL website -- http//www.rlo-cetl.ac.uk/index.ht
  m