Searchable collections of learning objects for download

Repositories are banks of digital learning materials which can be accessed via the web. Most repositories store the material in the form of learning objects.

Some LORs are open for public access while others require you to become a registered user of the service. They may be restricted to specific groups, such as staff at a particular organisation.

• Sample respositories
• Using learning objects
• Downloading from a learning object repository
• Working with SCORM-based learning objects

Sample repositories

• Toolbox Learning Object Repository, Australia 
  An open collection of free learning objects from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), all developed from Flexible Learning Toolboxes, high-quality e-learning courseware which supports vocational outcomes for national accreditation under the Training Packages in each industry.
• Learning Object Repository Network (LORN), Australia 
  A federated network of repositories managed by the Framework which provides public online access to training resources from across the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector. Many can be downloaded free, and others can be ordered online.
  View and print a guide to searching LORN (Word 33KB)
• Wisc-Online, USA 
  A repository produced for the Wisconsin Technical System. You can link to most of the Resources free, or purchase online, download and use in your own system.
• Learning Objects Collections, USA   
  An extensive list of web sites that give you access to learning objects and other web-based learning Resources.

Using learning objects (LOs)

More and more learning materials are being made available as the discrete, stand-alone items called "learning objects".

Learning objects are often smaller chunks of learning — for example, the learning objects in the Toolbox Repository are made by dividing up ("disaggregating") the full Toolbox into smaller segments or activities. But a learning object can be any size and in any format, such as a single word processor or PDF file, or a more complex combination of web pages, images, scripts and media files.

Sample learning objects

• Apply accident procedures – Hazards
  from the TAFE Tasmania Repository
• Prepare brickwork
  from the TAFE Virtual Campus Repository, Victoria
• Respond to security risk situation - Respond to risk
  from the Toolbox Repository

Packaging benefits

What makes these resources learning objects? They have been "packaged"  according to agreed international standards (the most common is SCORM – see next section). This means:

• everything you need to view and use the learning object is included
• standardised digital labels (called metadata) have been included which describe the material accurately (educational level, source, size etc) using consistentcategories
• all of the resources are zipped (compressed) together into a single .zip file.

This is all good news for trainers, teachers, designers, developers — and learners. The careful packaging of learning objects ensures that they can be:

• stored compactly in repositories
• reliably located by search engines
• fully previewed online
• easily downloaded
• loaded directly into learning or content management systems, ready to use
• used on most PCs or systems without additional software
• edited and customised.

Downloading from a learning object repository

One of the strengths of using learning objects in designing an e-learning course is that you can combine several learning objects from different sources to meet the needs of your teaching and learning context.

Once you have found the learning object you need, you can download it. Depending on the digital rights associated with the learning object, you will most likely need to agree to the terms of a licence. You may also need to pay for the learning object before you can download it. Some repositories require you to register before you can download.

Tip              Don't unzip the file first – your LMS will do this for you.

If the resource is in the form of a zipped package, it is important that you do not open or unzip the learning object file as you download it. Simply save it to your computer. Once it has been downloaded you can either unpack it (unzip the file) or load the zipped learning object package directly into your learning management system.

The uploaded SCORM packages will be unpacked by the LMS, the appropriate navigation and management systems created and a link to the learning object made available. You can use your LMS’s file editing facilities to change any content of the files.

Working with SCORM-based learning objects

It is becoming more common for learning objects to be produced as Self Contained Object Reference Model (SCORM) packages.

SCORM is a set of international standards which describes how the resources can work when uploaded to a SCORM-compliant learning management system (see the guide to LMSs in the Gallery of Strategies).

Basic editing

As well as the learning resource materials, SCORM-based learning objects also contain .xsd files which describe what is contained in the learning object and the relationship between these resources. It is important that these files are not deleted or modified unless you know what you are doing.

The learning resource files can be edited, so long as no new files are added or deleted. To do this you can use one of the appropriate html or image editing software tools described in Assembling learning materials.

Individual teachers and trainers may have (or quickly develop) the necessary skills for editing SCORM packages. Others will continue to need some specialist support.

Last modified: 15/9/08