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Learning object repositories

A learning object can be a single file such as an animation, a video clip, a discrete piece of text or URL, or it could be a collection of contextualised files that make up a learning sequence. Learning objects are digital resources that can be identified, tracked, referenced, used and reused for a variety of learning purposes. Learning object repositories enable users to search for, share, evaluate and download learning objects for later use and customisation.

Samples

The Flexible Learning Toolboxes Learning Object Repository.

In this repository, learning objects are small ‘chunks’ of Toolboxes that have been ‘disaggregated’ or segmented for easy download and delivery.

Source The Flexible Learning Toolbox Project has developed a Learning Object Repository. The new Learning Object format allows users to download smaller self-contained components of content.
URL http://flexiblelearning.net.au/toolbox/repository/
Use In this repository, Learning objects are small ‘chunks’ of Toolboxes that have been ‘disaggregated’ or segmented for easy download and delivery. Toolbox materials can be customised to suit different learning or workplace needs.
Delivery Learning objects from Toolboxes can be searched for and downloaded in html format with built in viewer independent of any platform to enable use in a web browser. They can also be made available to learners through a Learning Management System (eg Blackboard, Janisons, Moodle etc).
Customisation Various file versions can be customised and adapted by trainers to reflect their training delivery approach.
Availability Online from the Flexible Learning Toolbox Repository website above

Web browsing and Web Feeds for windows Users

Example of learning object to teach basis internet use

Source Web browsing and Web Feeds for windows Users
URL http://superuser.com.au/documents/webbrowse_webfeed/
Use Example of learning object to teach basis internet use
Delivery This learning object is available for download in PDF, RTF, Single HTML, TXT and Zip format
Customisation HTML and TXT file versions can be customised and adapted by trainers to reflect their training delivery approach.
Availability Online – other samples of Learning Objects created by Superuser are at http://superuser.com.au/documents/

LORN (Learning Object Repository Network)

LORN allows teachers and trainers to search, download and use online training resources from across the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector.

Source Australian Flexible Learning Framework
URL http://lorn.flexiblelearning.net.au/
Use LORN allows teachers and trainers to search, download and use online training resources from across the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector. LORN member repositories contribute more than 2,500 resources. A wide range of industries and subject areas, including business, community services, electrotechnology, horticulture, tourism and hospitality, are currently available for download. The current LORN members include TAFE Tasmania, TAFE SA, NSW DEET, the Victorian Tafe Virtual Campus and the Toolbox Repository (as above)
Delivery Learning objects can be searched for and downloaded in a variety of formats including PDF, RTF, Single HTML, TXT, MP3, AVI, QuickTime, Flash and Zip format etc.
Customisation Various  file versions can be customised and adapted by trainers to reflect their training delivery approach.
Availability Online from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework website above
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Why include learning object repositories?

Learning objects can be built or downloaded from repositories and depending on their structure, modified using many different authoring tools. Trainers can use the same object across a variety of software platforms.

Learning objects can be stored and shared in a Learning Management System (such as Moodle, Blackboard etc) so that other trainers both within and beyond their training organisation can reuse and modify the original design and content for their respective learners.

Learning Objects can be combined to make courses that can then be customised to suit the needs of different audiences. Courses can be constructed using components from a wide range of sources giving Trainers access to a broader range of content and activities.  Components from courses can be reused to meet a range of learning needs. Time poor Trainers can deploy and modify learning objects on the fly for fast delivery to their learners.

Learners can benefit from courses that have been personalised and constructed to meet individual learning requirements. Trainers can quickly provide contextualised learning in digestible chunks that is available on a just in time basis for learners. Learners can benefit from access to resources developed from a variety of sources using different instructional design principles.

Features

Learning objects come in a vast variety of shapes and formats. They range in diversity from a chapter in a book, to points and visuals on an overhead transparency or PowerPoint slide, and can be applied to a range of purposes, in a range of settings by designers, managers, trainers, content writers and learners.

There are five characteristics essential to learning objects within the VET sector.
Learning Objects should be:

  • Discoverable
    In order for a learning object to be usable it needs to be discoverable. To be discovered, all resources contain (or are associated with) metadata. Metadata provides a range of information about the object including a brief description, competency covered, subject, resource type, publisher and date created.
  • Interoperable
    Learning Objects should be capable of being shared across training organisations and learning and content management systems. Selecting a range of objects from a repository and combining them into a learning sequence requires them to be packaged in a standard way that allows them to be used and “unpacked” in a range of learning management systems. The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is an evolving standard that supports this concept.
  • Context-able
    Context is very important in terms of providing authentic learning within the VET sector. Learning resources should therefore either have an existing level of context (i.e. contextualised) or should be adaptable to a variety of contexts
  • Editable
    An important feature of all learning resources within the VET sector is that they can be retrieved, saved, edited and used. Once edited, a learning resource may take on a considerably different appearance or function. In this case, it may actually be considered a new resource that can then be reused by others. It may also be then repackaged and subsequently shared back to the VET sector via a Repository.
  • Re-usable
    The ability to be able to re-use existing objects is also important for the VET sector as it means greater access to a wide range of resources and less overhead in developing resources from scratch.

A repository is a collection of Learning Objects (or metadata describing Learning Objects) that is managed by technology that allows users to find, retrieve, publish or submit them via a network. Because learning objects are in digital formats, they are deliverable over the internet and therefore accessible by any number of people.

A Learning Object Repository has three components:

  1. Storage of objects (or metadata describing them) – which is generally a database.
  2. A search facility – which searches the database and locates any resources matching the user’s requirements.
  3. An interface – this could be a web page where users can conduct a search or upload new resources.

Learning Object Repositories should:

  • Be simple to use
  • Have effective search functions that delivered relevant results
  • Add value to Trainers participation – i.e. save them time or effort or provide support in acquiring new resources
  • Have some system to regulate the quality of content in the repository.

Learning Objects can incur a charge to be used, depending on the copyright owner. Toolbox materials produced under Crown Copyright are free for download and customisation by registered Training Providers.

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Integrating Learning Object Repositories

Learning Objects enable access to third party learning material that present content in new and innovative ways including multimedia presentations, the use of scenarios, case studies and industry context driven activities.

Design steps

Identify the learning objects you need by deciding on the content for a particular competency or group of competencies that you want to use with your learners. Many of the toolbox materials for example have been broken up into smaller chunks around units. They use a variety of learning strategies case studies, scenarios, demonstrations that work toward the collection of workplace knowledge to undertake assessment tasks.

  • Search a variety of learning object repositories for learning objects that meet your criteria
  • Examine the learning object content, learning activities and assessment activities. Evaluate these against their match to your delivery approach and decide if you need to customise them for your purposes. If so, estimate the time and skills you may need to customise them to meet your delivery needs.
  • Decide on the most appropriate software package to customise the content. Will you be able to customise the content yourself or will you need to commission multimedia developers to make the changes you need?
  • Customise the content and activities if required. Use the links below in the section 'From the Framework' to help you work through the building.
  • Test and evaluate the Learning Object to ensure that it performs correctly in all situations.
  • Publish the content to the web (website, blog, wiki or to a Learning Management System), CD-ROM/DVD. Prepare learning activities to support and introduce the content delivery.
Trial with a group of learners to collect feedback to enhance the content and delivery of your customised learning object.

Assessment

Learning Objects contain learning activities and strategies supported by a variety of learning content that function as underpinning knowledge in an assessment task. Assessment tools and tasks may form part of the object. Customisation is likely to be required to embed assessment that meets your training delivery objectives.

Generic skills

The development of Learning Object content should involve the learner in analysing, synthesising and applying new knowledge. It is important to have additional activities supporting the content delivery, which encourage the learner to engage with and use the content in a meaningful way. Learning Objects sourced from repositories are unlikely to meet the requirements of all your training content for a particular delivery. Consider developing activities that support the learner to learn about how the learning material is organised and delivered.

Technical notes

Learning Objects may contain a variety of interactive and multimedia content that will require the end user to have plug-ins (Flash, Shockwave, audio and video) installed on their computers. Increasingly these plug-ins are standard on computer systems but you need to make sure that your learners are provided with information on how to download and install any additional software that is required to make the content presentation work properly.

Skills

Using Learning Objects in your training requires a variety of skills.

  • Searching
    Learning Objects Repositories work like any other search function on the web. Trainers can browse for learning objects by browsing topic areas.
  • Previewing and downloading
    When you do a search a list of available learning objects linked to your search terms will appear.
  • Previewing the learning object online
    To preview the learning object, select the name of the object. You will still need to download the object to use for delivery
  • Downloading the learning object
  • Accessing and using the learning object
  • Evaluating the learning object with learners.
    Learning objects need to be evaluated prior to use in delivery to ensure they met the training objectives you have set for your training.

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See also

From the Framework

More resources from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework

Tools and resources

  • AEShareNet licensing system
    The AEShareNet Licensing System connects people who are looking for learning materials with those who own them.
    http://www.aesharenet.com.au/
  • LoLa
    LoLa is an exchange for facilitating the sharing of high-quality learning objects. It contains materials for use across the curriculum, with a particular focus on modules for Information Literacy.
    http://www.lolaexchange.org/
  • MERLOT
    MERLOT is a user-centred, searchable collection of peer reviewed, higher education, online learning materials created by registered members.
    http://www.merlot.org/merlot/index.htm
  • Reload Editor
    The Reload Editor enables users to organise, aggregate and package learning their own learning content into learning objects in standard IMS and SCORM content packages tagged with Metadata and vocabularies.
    http://www.reload.ac.uk/tools.html
Last modified: 15/9/08