Resources: Learning Objects
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Where can you get more information about learning objects?
Probably the very best place to start is with the Educause site. Educause has an effective tutorial on learning objects, including discussions of SCORM-compliant learning objects.
Learning Object Tutorial
http://www.eduworks.com/LOTT/tutorial/
(Accessed 3/15/06 )
Mini Technology Glossary for Learning Objects
- Closed Source
These are pieces of digital content that are licensed and require purchase or permission for their use.
- Open Source
This describes digital content and learning objects that are available for use without purchase. Many of these items may be copyrighted, though, so permission may be necessary.
- SCORM
Shareable Content Object Reference Model. This is a specification of standards that professional content designers use to maximize interoperability and reusability.
- SCO
Shareable Content Object. These are smallest-size self-contained units that cannot function without all of their internal parts. These are functional learning objects that “do something.” They include their own instructions and can be assembled with other content into a course. Examples might include simulations that report results to the learning and the course management system in which they operate.
Learning Object Repositories
Publication
Wiley, D. A. (Ed.), (2002). The Instructional Use of Learning Objects. Association for Instructional Technology and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.
Guest Lecturer
Kim Kostka is a chemistry professor and current chair of the Department of Chemistry in the UW Colleges. She teaches courses to students in their first year of chemistry study – both science majors and non-majors. Together with an instructional designer and another chemistry colleague, she developed a completely online chemistry lab course and lived to tell about it! Since then, the course has been running successfully every semester since Spring 2002.