7.01 - Learning Objects

There seem to be numerous web sites associated with the ideas behind learning objects. The first one The Instructional Use of Learning Objects -- Online Version had a variety of interesting articles. Others include:

- Learning Objects
- LEARNING OBJECT TUTORIAL
- Learning Object Repositories
- Learning Objects Portal
- Learning about Learning objects
- Learning Objects - Resources
- Learning Objects and Pedagogy Grant Program .

From my own perspective the key point is the ability to design the chunks of material to make them independant of the framework they are sitting in. i.e. the chunks need to deliver a specific learning point that is generic to many areas.

Firstly conceptually the piece can be attached into several different learning strands. So for instance in my own CBT a 'food and drink - ordering drinks and sacks' could be built and used across a number of modules delivering basic Italian e.g. saying hello, ordering Food and drink, Tourism, etc. For example at the level of 'ordering coffee' it's applicability could be across a number of modules in different settings.

Secondly the chunk could be at a level that allows it to be adapted into different learning vehicles. So for example a 'generic' design for saying hello could be similar across different languages. The chunk could then be adapted to bring together appropriate materials depending on the language.

The idea for the CBT would therefore to build the Flash objects at a low enough level to be able to use them within the structure at various points i.e. the Flash CBT would in effect be a series of combined files rather than one large file.

For the more technical the IEEE WG12: Learning Object Metadata site contains a wealth of material.

Many LMS are getting into this idea as the article WebCT Announces Real-Time Delivery of MERLOT Learning Objects indicates. The most recent incarnation of WebCT (WebCT Vista) does advertise itself as allowing the re-usability of Learning Objects.