Abstract
This chapter argues that good design has to be at the heart of developing effective learning objects. It briefly outlines the “knowledge engineering” approach to learning objects based on metadata and packaging. The knowledge engineering approach, however, ignores the issue of how to design and develop pedagogically effective learning objects. The chapter concentrates on the central issue of the design and development of learning objects. The first part of the chapter outlines and illustrates key design principles. The middle part of the chapter examines how these can be embedded in an “agile” development methodology for developing learning objects. The following section shows how effective designs can be captured and made available in a tool to support the authoring and repurposing of learning objects. Finally, the chapter examines the wider picture linking learning objects and learning designs and points to the challenge of “layered learning design.”
“The use of learning objects promises to increase the effectiveness of learning …”
– Duval et al. 2003
TopIntroduction
Strong claims have been made for the pedagogical impact of learning objects. The bulk of the work on learning objects has been based on an approach that emphasises the description (through metadata) and interoperability of learning resources across computer systems. This is embodied in the international standards for metadata (IEEE, 2002) and content packaging (IMS, 2007). This chapter argues that high quality design and development of learning objects is crucial before we get to issues of metadata and software packaging. The primary message of the chapter is good pedagogical design is at the heart of effective learning objects.
This chapter thus focuses on the issue of the design and development of reusable learning objects. The term “learning object” has been subject to considerable ambiguity in interpretation. The chapter clarifies the definition of learning objects that underpins the work described in the paper (the issue of clarification of the different meanings applied to learning objects is revisited later). The chapter then discusses two types of design principles: pedagogical design principles—to create effective learning experiences—and structural design principles to enhance the potential for reuse. The design principles are illustrated with several examples including the “learning objects for programming” project which won a European Academic Software award (EASA) in 2004.
The middle section of the chapter then examines how these design principles can be embedded in a full learning object development life cycle. It outlines the development methodology evolved by the CETL in reusable learning objects (Boyle, Windle, Leeder, Wharrad, Alton, & Cook, 2006). This emphasises a flexible, agile approach which covers the key life cycle functions from problem identification, through design, to production and evaluation.
The chapter then moves on to discuss the principles underpinning the development of a new, second generation of learning objects. In particular, it points to an increased emphasis on the pedagogical patterns (or learning designs) inherent in learning objects as the primary focus for reuse. It describes work in developing a model of “generative learning objects” (GLOs), which makes explicit these embedded designs. This work is realised in an authoring tool developed to enable tutors to create and repurpose learning objects based on these reusable design patterns.
The chapter culminates by examining the relationship between this work and wider approaches to reusable learning design. This discusses how major areas of work in learning design (AUTC Learning Designs, 2002; Dalziel, 2003; Harper & Oliver, 2002) may be related to the GLO work within a consistent conceptual framework.
The chapter refers extensively to the work of the Centre for Excellence in Teaching Learning (CETL) in reusable learning objects. This centre was set up in April 2005 with funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England. It is a partnership or three universities: London Metropolitan University, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Nottingham. It has incorporated the work of the partners carried out prior to the advent of CETL, and further developed these areas extensively. The design principles, methods, and tools described in this chapter are incorporated in the work of the centre. The CETL Web site provides access to specimen learning objects and to the supporting methodologies and tools, mentioned in this chapterer, as these become publicly available (CETL-RLO, 2007).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Learning Designs: Attempt to capture, represent, and communicate structures and sequences of activities that lead to successful learning. Developments in this area have been parallel but separate to the pedagogical patterns work, but there are strong potential links between the two.
Pedagogical Patterns: Seek to capture successful solutions to pedagogical problems in the form of patterns that can be reused. This chapter deals with executable pedagogical patterns that provide the core structure for generative learning objects.
Layered Learning Design: An approach that identifies different layers at which learning design operates and seeks to elucidate the relationship between these layers.
Learning Objects: A learning object is viewed in this chapter as “the minimum, meaningful pedagogical unit required to achieve a learning goal or objective.”
Generative Learning Objects (GLOs): The traditional approach to reusable learning objects is to separate content from the context in order to make the content reusable. GLOs invert this approach by focusing on the pedagogical form (or pattern) as the fundamental basis for reuse. Specific learning objects are generated from this underlying form.
Agile Development Method: These are a class of software development methods that emphasise small, flexible teams, iterative prototyping with an emphasis on producing the right product rather than following the “right” bureaucratic process.