Collaboration on learning objects – Expectations and Reality
- 2. Collaboration on learning objects – Expectations and Reality Esa Kujansuu Tampere University of Applied Sciences Finland
- 3. Codewitz Network Since 2001 Only interactive program code visualizations & exercises 2 EU funded projects: Codewitz-Minerva 2003 - 2006 Codewitz-Asialink 34 partners 2004 - 2007 198 Learning objects have been produced
- 4. Codewitz Learning Objects Object Basic Strcutures Program Algorithms Advanced Structures Embeddedvisualizations Oriented Programming Iteration Systems code Logic Exercises
- 5. Collaboration on visualizations Production of interactive visualization LOs is Making Nice and illustrations productive Rewarding A single Codewitz LO required in Needs a lot of average 14 days time of work… Challenging A lot of work
- 6. Why not share the work → collaboration Codewitz idealistic approach: Deposit 1 LO – Get 10 LOs Ok, I know you have nice Great idea! LOs ready. Please deposit Let’s do it! We’re (upload)! Yes! in! I get 10Less1, for work! Ok, but we need to great! Those are only for my course, not those first… finish Ok, next year I will for public suitable make one for public use… But your LOs are great. use… I don’t have I need to ask about etc. Please just upload! funding… I don’t really want Just too much work, etc. copyright…. to publish those not enough time… …
- 7. Deposit 1LO – Get 10 LOs (Unrealistic approach) Results up today since 2001 Only network REALITY coordinator has Not a single LO uploaded without made non- funding! funded deposits “No funding All other LOs → no LOs” have been made with EU funding!
- 8. Case: Technology to use Shockwave Result: Used technologies Flash Applet FLASH Which one to use? SHOCKWAVE Common decision: Let’s use the best technology available! APPLET No common agreement was possible…
- 9. Case: Layout & Interactivity GOAL: Students should have a uniform user-interface The only possible agreements were Navigation in centre Code on left Memory on right RESULT: Great variation appears between LOs
- 10. Case: Techniques to be used Original idea: Visualization is step-by-step illustration The idea was mostly followed (excluding exercises) But one partner decided to make instead a digital book with Flash Exceptions were mostly due to content or technique Despite numerous discussions with many other partners the decision remained This one partner always explained their students do not need visualization or interactivity…
- 11. Case: Courses, modules or LOs Should a project produce courses or modules or stand-alone LOs? The only option is to Full courses, of Naturally make stand-alone course! modules for a LOs! teacher to Anything else is build courses! The teacher should useless! create the courses with LOs! All options have their dedicated supporters!
- 12. Remarks from projects Collaboration is not There can be always easy language problems Consensus may not be There can be possible cultural problems Collaboration Some ideas/designs between different may not work well with projects is very other ideas difficult A partner may not agree Too high expectations with any other partner may fail easily To get partners to work Funding is synchronized is almost mandatory! impossible
- 13. If you begin a project Prepare for resistance from University Colleagues Sponsor Faculty Partners Students If you have a great project idea... ...it doesn’t mean students or staff would like it!
- 14. Conclusions The importance of Carefully select the Only challenges… the partners/people partners you begin to can not be work with! It sounds like all you need is a overemphasized! miracle… When you have the funding When people work together all you need is to get the their work should be people to work together for integrated… the same goal… But with the right people involved it is possible and it will important! People are When you have the be worth the trouble! right people all you Not the famous need is funding… universities!
- 15. Don’t get it wrong Share the work! Find Partners! Collaborate!
- 16. If you find a good partner who …shares your ideas …agrees with you technically …has time and resources NEVER LOOSE TOUCH WITH SUCH PARTNER!