ellen d. wagner and eduworks corporation creating a learning content strategy ellen d. wagner, ph.d....

Ellen D. Wagner and Eduworks Corporation

Creating a Learning Creating a Learning Content StrategyContent Strategy

Ellen D. Wagner, Ph.D.Ellen D. Wagner, Ph.D.Director of Learning Technologies, Learnativity AllianceDirector of Learning Technologies, Learnativity Alliance

Associate, Eduworks CorporationAssociate, Eduworks Corporation

Robby Robson, Ph.D.Robby Robson, Ph.D.President, Eduworks CorporationPresident, Eduworks Corporation

Chair, IEEE Learning Technology Standards CommitteeChair, IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee


TOPICSTOPICS

The The history history andand hype hype of learning objects of learning objects

Learning objects in the Learning objects in the content life-cyclecontent life-cycle

ContextContext versus versus content content

First stepsFirst steps for successfully planning and for successfully planning and implementing LO applications implementing LO applications

The Geek reportThe Geek report – news from the world of – news from the world of standards and technologystandards and technology

QuestionsQuestions and (if we’re lucky) and (if we’re lucky) AnswersAnswers


It Seems Like It’s About It Seems Like It’s About LearningLearning

Learning - not just for school Learning - not just for school anymoreanymore

Today, learning is described by Today, learning is described by words like words like competitive advantagecompetitive advantage and and cognitive capacitycognitive capacity..

(Learning) technologies have been a (Learning) technologies have been a catalyst for change.catalyst for change.

The challenge: realize the value that The challenge: realize the value that learning offerslearning offers


But it Could be about But it Could be about Technology Technology

ScalabilityScalability

AccessAccess

Improved Improved productivity productivity

Durability and Durability and maintainability maintainability

Software that Software that simply doesn’t simply doesn’t sucksuck

LOTS of new LOTS of new value…maybe…value…maybe…


Really, It’s All About Me!Really, It’s All About Me!

Just the right Just the right CONTENTCONTENT, to, to

Just the right Just the right PERSONPERSON, at, at

Just the right Just the right TIMETIME, on, on

Just the right Just the right DEVICEDEVICE, in, in

Just the right Just the right CONTEXTCONTEXT, and, and

Just the right Just the right WAYWAY


We had Great ExpectationsWe had Great Expectations

just-in-time, just-for-me, anytime, just-in-time, just-for-me, anytime, anywhere, 24x7, interactive, anywhere, 24x7, interactive, streaming, real-time, asynchronous, streaming, real-time, asynchronous, pervasive, motivational, emotional, pervasive, motivational, emotional, collaborative, multimedia, rich, collaborative, multimedia, rich, engaging, strategic, empowering, engaging, strategic, empowering, scalable, consistent, efficient, cost-scalable, consistent, efficient, cost-effectiveeffective


But Didn’t Get No SatisfactionBut Didn’t Get No Satisfaction

Courtesy RCA Wilson


Why? Because Shift Happened!Why? Because Shift Happened!

Content could be transported cheaplyContent could be transported cheaply

The Internet democratized learningThe Internet democratized learning

Learning, business goals, and technology Learning, business goals, and technology goals drifted (still further) apartgoals drifted (still further) apartThe Locus of learning control moved…but The Locus of learning control moved…but where?where?Instructional design became more Instructional design became more necessary, but less sufficient.necessary, but less sufficient.


And … Finally … We Are And … Finally … We Are Getting Down to BusinessGetting Down to Business

Concrete GoalsConcrete Goals– Build new learning content and reconfigure old learning Build new learning content and reconfigure old learning

content – efficiently and effectivelycontent – efficiently and effectively– Customize off-the-shelf learning, e-learning Customize off-the-shelf learning, e-learning andand

performance support with local content resources.performance support with local content resources.– Properly manage Intellectual Property. Properly manage Intellectual Property. – Produce content that runs on multiple devices and on Produce content that runs on multiple devices and on

any learning platform any learning platform – Move content if distribution platforms change.Move content if distribution platforms change.

Concrete IdeasConcrete Ideas– Content as a commodity – learning objectsContent as a commodity – learning objects– Standards that define and support learning objectsStandards that define and support learning objects


Lots of LO descriptions…Lots of LO descriptions…7 plus or minus 2 reusable information objects. Cisco Systems (www.cisco.com/whitepapers).Pre-scripted elements that simplify programming. Click2Learn. Java applets. Educational Objects Economy. www.eoe.org Any entity, digital or non-digital, which can be used, re-used or referenced during technology supported learning. IEEE LTSC 2000. www.ieee.org.Any digital resource that can be reused to support learning. Any digital resource that can be reused to support learning. David Wiley (2000):David Wiley (2000): reusability.org/read/).reusability.org/read/).The smallest element of digital information required for an The smallest element of digital information required for an individual to achieve an enabling performance objective or individual to achieve an enabling performance objective or outcome. (Wagner, 2000). outcome. (Wagner, 2000). www.learnativity.com/download/LwoL3.pdfwww.learnativity.com/download/LwoL3.pdf

…to name a few


At the simplest level…..At the simplest level…...pdf

.wav

.doc

ContentDomain/Course

Digital content assets (e.g., photos, illustrations, animation, text, .docs, .ppt and so on)

.ppt

.jpeg

.mpeg


LCMS and/or REPOSITORY

E-LEARNING CONTENT LIFECYCLEE-LEARNING CONTENT LIFECYCLE

Existing Content

Learning Content Authoring Tools

Learning Content Authoring Tools

Chunk

Create

Repurpose

Assemble

LearningCatalog

LearningCatalog

LMS

Import

Find

Track

Deliver

© Eduworks Corporation, 2002


BenefitsBenefits

Quick modification of contentQuick modification of content

Ability to manage content in modular formAbility to manage content in modular form

Simplified authoring tools and managed Simplified authoring tools and managed workflow for content creationworkflow for content creation

Ability to match content to Learner needsAbility to match content to Learner needs

Separation of content, presentation, Separation of content, presentation, deliverydelivery


ChallengesChallengesWhat is a learning object & how big is it?What is a learning object & how big is it?

Interoperability and ReusabilityInteroperability and Reusability

The art and science of distribution, The art and science of distribution, sequencing and assembly sequencing and assembly

““Build” or “Build on”?Build” or “Build on”?

Repositories Repositories

Digital Rights ManagementDigital Rights Management

Viable Business ModelsViable Business Models


eLearning

Knowledge Management

ContentAsset

Information Object

Learning Object

Learning Component*

LearningEnvironment

C o n t e x t+ _

R e u s a b i I I t y_ +

C o n t e n t E c o s y s t e m

text

animation

Audio

illustration

principle

concept

procedure

Objective Practice Assess

Components

Databases

Communications

Web

Serv

ices

Communities

*A case study, a course, a program of study, performance tools, a curriculum, a competency, and so on

2002, Learnativity

A Content Model for Designing Learning Objects


THE VALUE FUNCTIONTHE VALUE FUNCTION

CONTEXT

RE

US

E

THE MAGICQUADRANTN

ow

Soon?

Some Day?

Less Value More Value


How to Push Into the Fourth QuadrantHow to Push Into the Fourth Quadrant

Ability to use parts increases reuse Ability to use parts increases reuse without sacrificing contextwithout sacrificing context

Adaptivity increases context without Adaptivity increases context without sacrificing reusesacrificing reuse

Network effect (standards) increases Network effect (standards) increases reuse without sacrificing contextreuse without sacrificing context

Copyright pictures Copyright pictures ease ofease of reuse reuse as as lowering lowering economic value economic value to producer to producer


The Geek ReportThe Geek Report

Learning Objects are realized Learning Objects are realized through the Sharable Content Object through the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM)Reference Model (SCORM)– Packaging (Assembly and Transport)Packaging (Assembly and Transport)– ““CMI” (Results Tracking)CMI” (Results Tracking)– Metadata (Global Context)Metadata (Global Context)– Simple Sequencing (Adaptivity – local Simple Sequencing (Adaptivity – local

context)context)


CONTEXT

RE

US

E

WHERE CONTENT FITSWHERE CONTENT FITSSilent SCOsSilent SCOsLearning AssetsLearning Assets– MultimediaMultimedia– TextText– DiagramsDiagrams

Assessment Assessment QuestionsQuestions

Smart GraphicsSmart GraphicsAdaptive SimulationsAdaptive SimulationsSelf-adapting ContentSelf-adapting Content

Courses and course Courses and course modulesmodules

SimulationsSimulations

Tests and QuizzesTests and Quizzes

Dynamic, non-Dynamic, non-adaptive contentadaptive content

Content tied to its Content tied to its presentationpresentation


CONTEXT

RE

US

E

WHERE PRODUCTS AND STANDARDS FITWHERE PRODUCTS AND STANDARDS FIT

Standards-based Standards-based authoring tools enhance authoring tools enhance reusereusePackaging standards allow Packaging standards allow reusereuseAssessment engines Assessment engines manage questions for manage questions for reusereuseWeb services may Web services may enhance reuseenhance reuse

Learning Content Learning Content Management Systems enable Management Systems enable “self-adopting” content“self-adopting” contentGaming applied to e-learning Gaming applied to e-learning could take us to the fourth could take us to the fourth quadrantquadrantSequencing, learning design Sequencing, learning design and other standards are and other standards are addressing adaptive delivery addressing adaptive delivery of contentof content

Metadata and learner information Metadata and learner information standards define contextstandards define context

Learning Management Systems Learning Management Systems create contextcreate context

SCORM includes trackingSCORM includes tracking

Web services may addWeb services may add context context

Proprietary formats Proprietary formats prevent reuse and prevent reuse and often do not add often do not add contextcontext


Dr. Wagner’s 12-Step ProgramDr. Wagner’s 12-Step ProgramTo Content HealthinessTo Content Healthiness

1.1. Conduct a Content Audit, a Learning/Competency Audit, Conduct a Content Audit, a Learning/Competency Audit, an IT Auditan IT Audit

2.2. Determine the requirements for an object-base for Determine the requirements for an object-base for digitized content assets.digitized content assets.

3.3. Determine how object interoperability and reusability are Determine how object interoperability and reusability are likely to affect your elearning strategy. likely to affect your elearning strategy.

4.4. Determine the necessary technology infrastructureDetermine the necessary technology infrastructure

5.5. Consider staffing and resource requirements needed to Consider staffing and resource requirements needed to implement and maintain your enterprise learning implement and maintain your enterprise learning initiative.initiative.

6.6. Generate a “straw budget” to get a sense of real costs.Generate a “straw budget” to get a sense of real costs.


Dr. Wagner’s 12-Step ProgramDr. Wagner’s 12-Step ProgramTo Content HealthinessTo Content Healthiness

7.7. Develop a plan that ensures the greatest “reusability” of Develop a plan that ensures the greatest “reusability” of content by:content by:

– Creating a content map for each course in your curriculum. Creating a content map for each course in your curriculum. – Determine which courses will offer the greatest likelihood Determine which courses will offer the greatest likelihood

of reusability success.of reusability success.8.8. Compare the content map with the enterprise learning map to Compare the content map with the enterprise learning map to

determine priorities. determine priorities. 9.9. Create a content model for your organization to articulate Create a content model for your organization to articulate

content relationshipscontent relationships10.10. Select the best tools for e-learning content creation for YOUR Select the best tools for e-learning content creation for YOUR

needs. needs. 11.11. Determine the best development and distribution Determine the best development and distribution

environment.environment.12.12. Use your data, build your case for executive sponsorshipUse your data, build your case for executive sponsorship


Lessons LearnedLessons LearnedLearning Object strategies require new ways of Learning Object strategies require new ways of thinking about content resources to support thinking about content resources to support learning. Plan ahead, be ready to counter learning. Plan ahead, be ready to counter objections and provide “thought leadership”.objections and provide “thought leadership”.Standards DO matter for everything from graphic Standards DO matter for everything from graphic standards to editorial style to the metadata used standards to editorial style to the metadata used to tag content resources.to tag content resources.Develop a content object reference model early in Develop a content object reference model early in the process.the process.Work small, from the simple asset to more Work small, from the simple asset to more complex assemblies like information and learning complex assemblies like information and learning objects.objects.Be flexible. Be flexible. Be patient.Be patient.

Steven Elliott, Calix, Inc.


Still so many more questions…Still so many more questions…

Can content teach? Can content teach? Does content design differ from instructional design? Does content design differ from instructional design? Does learning design using content objects call for different Does learning design using content objects call for different skills needed for instructional design? skills needed for instructional design? What makes “learning” content different from “regular” What makes “learning” content different from “regular” content? content? What is it going to take to establish an object economy? What is it going to take to establish an object economy? What is the value proposition for learning content? What is the value proposition for learning content? What metrics best make the case for determining the value What metrics best make the case for determining the value of elearning content in an organization? of elearning content in an organization? Is there a significant increase in the effectiveness of Is there a significant increase in the effectiveness of learning that will be derived from new models for learning learning that will be derived from new models for learning and content?and content?And on and on and on…And on and on and on…


Internet ThinkingInternet Thinking

Information needs to be shared and unified.Processes are based on associations, relationships and influences. They are not linear or hierarchical.Organizations must place the individual first, making them full partners in the enterprise.

W. David Stephenson, 2002 Infowarcon Keynote

Sept 4, 2002


Questions? Please let us know:[email protected] [email protected]

Thank You!!Thank You!!More information and resources at: More information and resources at: www.learnativity.comwww.learnativity.com

www.eduworks.comwww.eduworks.com

Also check out

www.elearningguild.comwww.elearningguild.com

ellen d. wagner and eduworks corporation creating a learning content strategy ellen d. wagner, ph.d....

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