What is Granularity

Granularity is a hierarchical concept associated with the relative degree of complexity of a component part to its aggregate, subsuming structure. Fine silt is more granular than sand, which is more granular than rock, and so forth. In taxonomic development, the smaller the relative size to the taxons (units) of classification, the higher the degree of granularity. In instructional design, the concept of granularity is multifaceted, and can refer to the size of learning units or scope (e.g., degree or certificate curricula, courses, lessons, modules, activities); learning element prioritization or sequencing (e.g., logical order of lessons, concept formation and skill acquisition to optimize scaffolding in new knowledge construction); content domains architecture (e.g., superordinate concepts, subordinate concepts, rules, principles); teaching strategy (e.g., individual vs. group learning, passive learner/expository vs. active leaner/discovery, inductive vs. deductive, tutorial vs. simulation, abstract vs. problem-oriented, synchronous online chat vs. asynchronous threaded discussions, etc.); media design and utilization (e.g., relative size and complexity of single components or combined components, type of media element including text, graphics/visuals, audio, animation, degree of user control, etc.); and learner assessment (e.g., conventional declarative-convergent testing using multiple-choice, matching, and short-answer questions vs. holistic, constructivist-divergent portfolios with demonstration work-product artifacts from individual and group projects, internships, and service learning).

The aggregation level within a dimension hierarchy.

Refers to the definition of size of a learning object. There is a distinction between delivery-centric and holistic granularity. Delivery-centric granularity is structurally oriented on a course (activities, assessment). Holistic granularity is focused on the embedded instructional design in every object and not just in the role the object plays within a course structure.

Here, it refers to the detail in route directions; from coarse levels for general planning to finer levels to provide context-specific information, for example at decision points.

LO feature related to its structural design, conceived to increase versatility and maximize the number of situations in which the resource may be applied. A minimum level of granularity is required in order to ensure the LO autonomy to acquired the target instructional goal.

Granularity refers to the size of the components that make up a system. There is often discussion in learning object library circles about the ideal granularity of learning objects. The IEEE standards suggest several size ratings for objects from small media fragments to courses (or nested courses).

The unit and scale of data processing based on the urgency and the level at which decision making is required by an application.

Granularity refers to the “size” or “extent” of a learning object. A fine grained learning object may be a single file, but also be tightly focused on a single concept or idea. A learning object of larger granularity would contain more extensive content, perhaps linking together multimedia concepts or with multiple activities for learners.

Refers to the relative size of the reconfigurable elements in a reconfigurable hardware architecture.

The “size” of a learning object, seen in terms of student hours, extent of topic(s) covered, or degree of integration of material.

The level of detail recorded regarding business transactions, usually down to the level of individual items of inventory and their value. The aggregation capability is defined by the amount of detail held on each line item.

The relative size of a digital object (with atomistic as the smallest size up to modules to courses to degree programs).

Characteristics of the LOs related to the size of the object; may include a single topic, theme, or the whole course.

An appropriate size of learning objects that can stand alone.

The size of a learning resource. The smaller the resource, the higher the level of granularity.

Refers to the relative size of the reconfigurable elements in a reconfigurable hardware architecture.

The relative size of the reconfigurable elements in a reconfigurable hardware architecture.

The level of descriptive detail in a metadata record, usually representing a balance between the competing demands of fully characterizing information resources and facilitating the process of search and retrieval.

Refers to the definition of “size” of a learning object or stands for the smallest meaningful unit when modeling learning designs.

Refers to the size of a shareable learning object. The smaller the learning object, the greater the granularity it has. Smaller learning objects have a greater opportunity for reusability.

Refers to the amount of computation in comparison to the amount of communication necessary to perform a task in distributed task environment