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Learning Objects

What is a Learning Object?  Definitions and Explanations

Learning Objects are digital materials with defined instructional value that can be used in a variety of ways to improve teaching and learning.

The ability to share quality teaching materials, targeting specific and known instructional goals, can help teachers and librarians develop an excellent teaching curriculum more quickly. Learners benefit from the ability to repeat an activity as many times as required to gain a full understanding of a concept. 

Other definitions: http://learnware.uwaterloo.ca/projects/CCCO/cloe_about_def.html

Note: for examples of Learning Objects (both instructional such as survey,  image, audio and video tools; and design tools for authoring, converting material to learning objects and course conferencing tools) see  http://www.library.uiuc.edu/diglit/faculty/teaching/tools/index.html

Resources

Learning about Learning Objects

• http://www.learning-objects.net/modules.php?name=Web_Links
• Repository and forum-clean interface (text box and by subject) for searching.

Learning Objects for Library Instruction (PowerPoint)

LCMS = LMS + CMS [RLOs]

• Learning Management Systems, Content Management Systems, and Reusable Learning Objects Explained
• http://www.elearningpost.com/articles/archives/lcms_lms_cms_rlos/

Learning Objects Tutorial

•   http://www.eduworks.com/LOTT/tutorial/
• Robson, Robby. Learning Objects Tutorial. Eduworks.
• Sections include:  All about learning objects; Table of pros and cons; SCORM concepts; Where to learn more

Learning Objects Characteristics

Practical Guidelines for Learning Object Granularity

Converting Course Materials into Learning Objects

Effective Learning Objects 

Principles of effective learning objects (PDF)

• Guidelines from the Atlanta-Southern Regional Education Board
• http://www.sreb.org/programs/EdTech/pubs/PDF/05T03-PrinciplesEffectiveLO.pdf
• Reusable Design and Learning Objects: http://www.eduworks.com/index.php/Publications/Reusable-Design-and-Learning-Objects.html Numerous papers, presentations and examples (EduWorks)

Benefits of Learning Objects

Standards for Creating Learning Objects

Reusing Learning Objects 

The Instructional Use of Learning Objects

• Wiley, David A. (Ed.) The Instructional Use of Learning Objects.
• http://www.reusability.org/read

For comments on this page contact: Digital Learning Librarian

Last modified by: Lori Mestre on 9/24/09