Learning Objects

1. Learning Objects Shu Liu, Digital Content Librarian Colorado State University Libraries shu.liu@colostate.edu Computers in Libraries 2007 C205: Gaming & Learning April 17, 2007 Washington, DC

2. Agenda • Introduction to Learning Objects • Examples of Learning Objects • Learning Objects & Library Resources • Current Developments • Q & A

3. Definition A learning object is an online tool that includes a learning objective, a learning process, and assessment of learning, providing an interactive experience, to help learners digest a specific piece of knowledge, or master how to complete a specific task.

4. Characteristics Learning Objects Digital Reusable Individual Interactive

5. Exposition Wisc-Online, Faculty Builders Resources – The Teaching Granularity Scale http://www.wisc-online.com/members/resources/builders.asp, c2005.

6. Academic Example 1 Wisc-Online (Wisconsin Online Resource Center) • A digital library of learning objects. • Developed primarily by faculty from the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) • Objects produced by multimedia technicians. • Accessible to all WTCS faculty at no cost and with copyright clearance for use in any WTCS classroom or online application. • Other institutions in the US and worldwide use the library with permission. • Registration is easy and free!

7. Object Example from Wisc-Online: The 12 Cranial Nerves Author: Barbara LiangTechnician: TeeJay Spilman School: Fox Valley Technical College   Date: 2/5/2004Description: In this interactive and animated object, learners read a description of the number, name, and function of the cranial nerves. A matching quiz completes the activity.

8. Academic Example 2 MERLOT (Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching) • A continually growing catalog of online learning materials to help faculty enhance instruction. • An international consortium that cooperates to transform and improve higher education. • A community of individual members who share and enrich teaching and learning experiences. • A technology initiative with its own infrastructure and dynamically designed set of tools and software development policies. • Anyone can use free!

9. Object Example from MERLOT: Reframing America: Photography through the Eyes of Immigrants (MERLOT Record) – * MERLOT link broken, use site: Educator’s Guide Angle, Framing, and Light Author: Cass Fey, The Center for Creative Photography at The University of Arizona Submitter: Garry Forger Material Type: Tutorial Technical Format: HTML/Text Date Added: November 06, 2001 Date Modified: July 11, 2006

10. Academic Example 3 • UTOPIA (UTOPIA - University of Texas at Austin) • A digital gateway that provides access to the University of Texas at Austin’s reservoir of knowledge and cultural assets • Launched in 2004 • Spearheaded by the University of Texas Libraries • Guidance from a national advisory board and additional assistance from K-12 educators all around Texas • Team is composed of content librarians, graphic designers, Web site builders, writers, programmers, information architects, videographers and more • Available to anyone, anywhere, at absolutely no cost!

11. Object Example from UTOPIA (UT Austin): Site: Art Across the Curriculum Also check out this version: http://www.blantonmuseum.org/elearning/aac/teacher/index.html Description: The Blanton Museum of Art puts an artistic slant on social studies with a collection of history lesson plans based on works of art Object: “Learning Empathy through Art: From That Day On” or “Overcoming Censorship through Art: Zero Dollar”

12. More Academic Examples: • University System of Georgia: ALT • Portland State University: Instructional Design Handbook

13. Business Example 1 Microsoft Office Online Training • Object Example: Link data to diagrams I: Getting started

14. Business Example 2 Apple Learning Interchange 2007 also see: Apple Education Products: iLife • Object Example: Newspapers: A Connection to Our Past (Middle School Social Studies Lesson Idea)

15. Library Resources & Learning Objects

16. Current Developments • In Australia: • AICTEC Technical Standards • Education Network Australia (edna) • The Learning Federation • HavestRoad Hive® • In Canada: The BELLE Project • In Europe: • The ARIADNE Foundation • Learning Technologies Workshop • In Hong Kong: LEARNet • In the United States: • ADL • IEEE LTSC • IMS

17. List of URLs Discussed • Wisc-Online: http://www.wisc-online.com/ • MERLOT: http://www.merlot.org/ • UTOPIA (UT Austin): http://utopia.utexas.edu/ • Microsoft Office Online Training: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/default.aspx • Apple Learning Interchange 2007: http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali • And try Google search the examples!

18. Further Resources • “What are Learning Objects” at LEARNet: http://learnet.hku.hk/objects.htm • “Learning Object” on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_object • Chuck Barrit & F. Lee Alderman Jr. Creating a Reusable Learning Objects Strategy: Leveraging Information and Learning in a Knowledge Economy. Pfeiffer, 2004. • Tom Barron, “Learning Object Approach is Making Inroads,” 2002. http://www.learningcircuits.org/2002/may2002/barron.html • Reusable Learning: http://www.reusablelearning.org/ • Reusability.org: http://www.reusability.org/