Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
November 6, 2003
E-Learning Objects: Benefits and Repository
Issues
Dr. Robert J. BeckUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
November 6, 2003
“Learning objects … are destined to forever change the shape and form of learning, and in so doing, … will also usher in an unprecedented efficiency of learning content design, development, and delivery.”
-- H. Wayne Hodgins, “The Future of Learning Objects” (2000)
November 6, 2003
Overview: Three Questions
• What are E-learning Objects?• The Benefits• Repository Issues
November 6, 2003
Definition
• any digital resource • that can be reused • to support learning
-- Wiley, “Connecting Learning Objects to Instructional Design Theory” (2000)
November 6, 2003
Why?
“The main idea of ‘learning objects’ is to break educational content down into small chunks that can be reused in various learning environments, in the spirit of object-oriented programming”
-- David Wiley
November 6, 2003
An object-oriented approach may permit course developers to
• Avoid “wheel reinvention”• Be more ambitious • Expend less effort • Create custom courses
November 6, 2003
In Practice
• Currently, a spectrum might be said to exist, including
– Images: photos, art work, maps– Course tools: Java applets– Case studies– Course modules
November 6, 2003
Metadata Tags
• Are arguably not characteristic
• Even so, such tags significantly enhance E-Learning Object utility
November 6, 2003
Weighing Benefits vs. Costs
• Two E-learning “object lessons”
November 6, 2003
Lesson 1: “Granularity”
• Granularity – “The size of a given ‘chunk’ of curricular material” – i.e., learning object
November 6, 2003
“Granularity”
Small “chunk” Large “chunk”
Example
Flexibility of use
Instructor role in post-production
Meta-tag costs relative to size
November 6, 2003
“Granularity”
Small “chunk” Large “chunk”
Example Map or image of Kosovo
Instructor role in post-production
“Some assembly required”
Flexibility of use High
Meta-tag costs relative to size
High
November 6, 2003
“Granularity”
Small “chunk” Large “chunk”
Example Map or image of Kosovo
Case study of Kosovo
Instructor role in post-production
“Some assembly required”
Pre-assembled
Flexibility of use High Less
Meta-tag costs relative to size
High Low
November 6, 2003
Lesson 2: Metadata Tagging and Cost
November 6, 2003
Metadata Tagging and Cost
Meta-tagged Not tagged
Degree of Sharability
Degree of Seachability
Faculty production
Production costs
Maintenance costs
November 6, 2003
Metadata Tagging and Cost
Meta-tagged Not tagged
Degree of Sharability
High
Degree of Seachability
High
Faculty production
More difficult
Production costs High
Maintenance costs
More costly, if metadata is updated
November 6, 2003
Metadata Tagging and Cost
Meta-tagged Not tagged
Degree of Sharability
High Uncertain
Degree of Seachability
High Likely to require a portal site host
Faculty production
More difficult Less difficult
Production costs High Modest
Maintenance costs
More costly, if metadata is updated
Less costly
November 6, 2003
E-Learning Object Repositories
• 2 Examples• Themes
November 6, 2003
GEODE Portal
• Global Education Online Depository and Exchange
• Grade Level: 13-16 • Global Studies focus• Exclusively digital• http://www.uw-igs.org/
November 6, 2003
IDEAS Portal
• Interactive Dialogue with Educators from Across the State (Teacher-reviewed)
• Grade Level: PK-16 • Exclusively digital• “Global Studies” subject search Seeks to help
Wisconsin educators meet Wisconsin Model Academic Standards
• Now Includes “VideoIDEAS” Resources• http://www.ideas.wisconsin.edu/
November 6, 2003
IDEAS Portal
November 6, 2003
Learning Repositories Summit
• Hosted by Academic Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Co-Lab on October 7-8, 2003– http://www.academiccolab.org/events/
oct78.html• Online database of repositories will likely be
available this month
November 6, 2003
Themes: Metadata and Repositories
• Quality metadata needed, but created by whom and how?
• Simple vs. complex metadata tagging
• “Crosswalks” between schemas are needed, but are challenging to develop
November 6, 2003
Themes: Focus of Repositories
• “Communities of practice” will ideally arise around repositories
• Teaching vs. learning
November 6, 2003
Themes: The Configuration of Repositories
• “Harvestable metadata” and distributed repositories
• Need for common intellectual property (IP) framework
• Users don’t want 2000 sources, but 10 good ones
November 6, 2003
Copyright Robert J. Beck 2003.
This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author.
