Developing Learning Objects: Implications for Course Content Strategies

Abstract

This chapter examines the issues and concerns of faculty regarding the development and use of learning objects as instructional resources. It describes the characteristics and benefits of learning objects, barriers to adoption, and strategies to increase learning object use. Included are communication and support strategies for working with faculty. Concerns about quality and effectiveness are also discussed, and a comprehensive set of criteria is presented to guide learning object design and evaluation. The chapter concludes with ten recommendations to help overcome barriers to faculty adoption of learning objects. The chapter is based on the authors’ personal experiences in using learning objects, current literature,1 and their involvement in the Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education (FIPSE) Grant entitled “An Investigation of the Pedagogical and Economic Effectiveness of Sharable Content Objects, Using Standards, in Online Instruction.” The work of the grant was conducted from November 2002 through December 2005.