Student Learning with Reusable Learning Objects

Damon N. Gatenby Instructional Technologist

Tracey A. Russo Instructional Technology Manager

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

What are Reusable Learning Objects?

• Learning objects

– Web-based

– Reusable

– Self-contained learning units

– Objective oriented

2

Uses of RLOs in Higher Education

• Teach content – i.e. a lecture in audio format that can be reused

each semester

• Enable self-assessment mastery of content through simulations and practice drills

• Enable repeated viewing or listening for self-mastery of course content

• Provide technical training in an interactive format that engages 21st century student learners

3

Benefits of RLOs

• Provide anytime access to students for learning experience

• Share content in departments to avoid duplicating work

• Provide information via audio and/or video to personalize learning experience

4

Library Tutorials to Build Informational Literacy SkillsProject goal:

Increase student library research skills across the disciplines

Began with Liberal Arts major– Funded by Sloan-C grant– Library staff stipends– Student worker for RLO production– Investment of ID team skills and management of project

Strategic Plan Goal 5.2.d3: “…continue to support the university community in developing the information literacy of students, faculty, and staff by pursuing greater engagement, reflective institutional assessment, and appropriate support services.”

5

The Building Process

• Planning Stage

• Librarian generated list of possible tutorials

• Liberal Arts faculty input of typical assignments

• Selection and prioritizing of tutorial development

• Development Stage

• Librarian generated content

• Production timeline

• Faculty, ID Team & librarian review

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Tutorials Completed

• Primary and Secondary Sources: Recognizing the Difference*

• Reading Citations in an Online Database*

• Popular Magazines and Scholarly Journals*

• Using Truncations*

• Using Boolean Terms: AND, OR, NOT*

• Evaluating Internet Resources

• What is Plagiarism?

• Citing Sources: Why and When*

* Includes self-assessment module7

Tutorial & Assessment Demonstration

• Using Boolean Terms– Tutorial

• Primary & Secondary Sources– Self-Assessment

• Reading Citations in an Online Database– Self-Assessment

8

9

Branching Assessment Questions

Q1 Q2

Q1a Q2a

Q3

Q3a

End

Correct PathIncorrect PathDefault Path

Intergration to Classes: WMS 101

10

Very Useful Useful Somewhat Useful Not Useful0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

29%

63%

8%

0%

36%

56%

8%

0%

36%

49%

10%

5%

29%

42%

26%

3%

23%

46%

26%

5%

Primary and Secondary SourcesReading Citations in an Online DatabasePopular Magazines and Scholarly JournalsUsing Boolean TermsUsing Truncations

Individual Learning Object Usefulness

Evidence of Student LearningStudent Survey Results:

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Very Useful Useful Somewhat Useful Not Useful0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

31%

51%

16%

3%

Average Learning Object Usefulness

Evidence of Student LearningStudent Survey Results:

12

Evidence of Student LearningStudent Survey Results:

Did the tutorials help you complete your research assignment more effectively?

Yes, 50%Somewhat,

40%

No, 10%

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What We’ve Learned

• Faculty need guidance and support on how to best integrate the tutorials

– Stress coordination with librarian affiliate

– Create faculty support notes

– Access to tutorials in multiple places

• LMS repository

• Library repository

• Digital repository– In development

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What We’ve Learned

• Issues encountered

– Development can be time consuming and expensive

– Process model created

• Future RLO development

– Engage faculty in learningobject development

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Learning Object Examples on Campus

• Faculty Generated

– “What is History?”• Gail Mohanty, Liberal Arts

– Narrated PowerPoint

– “Setting up a Sterile Field”• Kristen Sethares, Nursing

– Video

– “What it means to be a Writer” • Catherine Houser, Liberal Arts

– Audio Interview

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Learning Object Examples on Campus• Staff Generated

– “Using the Browser Check in myCourses” • Katelyn Huynh, ID Team

– Tutorial

– “Writing Resources”• Jeannette Riley, ID Team

– myCourses Learning Module

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Writing Resources

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Writing Resources: Table of Contents

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Student Learning with Reusable Learning Objects• Questions?

• Resources can be found here:– Sloan Slideshare– Library tutorials

http://www.lib.umassd.edu/find/sublistNew.html?display=10

• Contact Us– idteam@umassd.edu – 508 999-8501 or– http://www.umassd.edu/cits/instructional/developm

ent

• Thank you!20