The impact of cultural issues on learning object design and development

Mei Qi, Tom Boyle, Yong Xue

Learning Technology Research Institution

London Metropolitan University

Introduction

Cultural diversity exists in education and e-learning

Quality of e-learning should be equal for all

Cultural perspective is demanded for reusable learning objects

Culture “…, is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, morals, law, custom and any other habits and capabilities acquired by man as a member of society”. ----- the first anthropological definition of culture by E. B. Tylor in 1871

“… is the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another” (Hofestede 1991).

Meaning of Learning object

A Learning object is an independent and self-standing unit of learning content that is predisposed to reuse in multiple instructional contexts. (Polsani 2003)

A Learning object is about pedagogy

A Learning object contains “micro-context”

A preliminary empirical study

LOs of Java Programming

LOs of Java Programming

London Metropolitan University

– in London, UK

Beijing Union University

– in Beijing, China

Used after translationUsed directly

Developed by LTRI

Translation of the learning objects from English to Chinese

Cultural diversity can be understood at different levels of learning objects

Pedagogical level – learning content, pedagogical pattern, teaching method, learning style, roles, etc.

Presentation level – language, navigation, layout of interface, etc.

Prerequisite level – infrastructure, learner attitude towards e-learning, computer skills and experience, etc.

Learning object design and development

Pedagogical design

Teaching and learning activity configuration

Implementation

The cultural influences on the design and development can be understood in a variety of levels

ConcreteImplementation

Configure Teaching/ Learning Activity

PresentationCultural Influence

Pedagogical Pattern

Pedagogical Design

Prerequisites

Culture-related variables affecting LOs design & development

Learning content Instruction Interaction Illustration and exercise Navigation Language Communication Motivation and stimulation Interface Infrastructure Personal needs and pre-knowledge

Generating LOs with cultural sensitivity

Meet the needs of learners who have different cultural background

Promote the quality of education for all learners equally

Enhance the reusability of LOs

Further work

Mapping the culturally-related variables to the design and development of learning objects

Using the generative learning object (GLO) authoring tool (developed by CETL) to realise the connection

Reference

Hofstede Geert (1994) Cultures and Organizations, Intercultural Co-operation and its Importance for Survival, Software of Mind, McGraw-Hill International, UK

Polsani P. R. (2003) Use and Abuse of Reusable Learning Objects, Journal of Digital Information, Volume 3 Issue 4,

Tylor, Edward Burnett (1871) Primitive culture: researches into the development of mythology, philosophy, religion, art, and custom, London : Routledge/Thoemmes, 1994, vol. 2

LTRI website – http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/ltri/

CETL website -- http://www.rlo-cetl.ac.uk/index.htm