Learning Objects Making the Technology Fit the Pedagogy

Bill TaitCOLMSCT Associate Teaching Fellow

The Open University

OpenCETL Conference Oct 2007

Object Technology

A learning object is a modular course component whose contentis defined by a specific learningoutcome.

It is independent of other parts of the course so it is easily replaced and reused.

It can be authored independently of other content and plugged into a course wherever the learning outcome is required.

Going to a website

Using hyperlinks

Using a search engine

Going to a website

Going to a website

Going to a website

Object Repositories

Most learning objects are digital objects stored in Internet repositories where they can be discovered by searching.

Or they may be in local course repositories.

Authors can upload objects to a repository with the permission the manager.

Going to a website

Using hyperlinks

Using a search engine

Contextualisation

The object may have to fit into a context that defines a planned sequence of knowledge construction.

So it has entry requirements that have to be met by the outcomes of earlier objects.

But it must not rely on any internal content of other course objects - otherwise it is not replaceable.

Going to a website

Using hyperlinks

Using a search engine

Implementation

The object has a Learning Content which here is an Image.

It should also have a Learning Activity here expressed in text to describe how the content is to be used.

Searching the Web

Here is a short movie clip on using the Google search engine to find information on JavaScript.

Watch the movie then carry out your own search to find pages about HTML. Discuss your findings and decide which are the best sites.

See if you can find any other search engines.

Video Learning Object

So a Learning Object has two pedagogies both of which may be selectable by the tutor or learner.

Pedagogy of the Learning Content or inner object and the pedagogy of the Learning Activity or outer object.

Pedagogy

Read and test- Behaviourist

Read and reflect- Cognitivist

Read and use- Constructivist

Delete existing URL and enter new one

URL www.google.co.uk

Text

Image

Video

Simulation

Diagram

So does the technology fit the pedagogy or extend it?

Pedagogy

Bill Tait wht4@tutor.open.ac.uk

Delete existing URL and enter new one

URLwww.google.co.uk