Reusable Learning Objects: Designing and Archiving
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This document discusses reusable learning objects (RLOs), which are small interactive e-learning modules designed to teach standalone learning objectives. RLOs can take various forms like animations, simulations, puzzles or quizzes. The document outlines factors to consider when designing RLOs like the subject matter, delivery method, and archiving approach. It also compares technologies for building RLOs such as Flash, JavaScript, Java applets, .NET, and third-party e-learning software. Java applets and .NET are highlighted as options that allow building complex interactive content that can be archived and delivered online or through other means.
Reusable Learning Objects: Designing and Archiving
- 1. Reusable Learning Objects Designing and Archiving By Ishan Abeywardena (SST) 26th March 2010
- 2. What are reusable learning objects (RLO)s? A reusable learning object is a web-based (electronic) interactive chunk of e-learning designed to explain a stand-alone learning objective. The fact that the learning object has been broken down to a low level of granularity facilitates its reuse in different learning and teaching situations. (Ref: http://www.ics.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/rlos/index.php ) The reusability of any learning object depends mainly on the method of archiving and retrieval of that object.
- 3. What forms do learning objects come in? A learning object can be any of the following Animation Interactive Simulation Puzzle Quiz Game Walkthrough Etc…
- 4. Things to consider when designing a RLO (from a technical perspective) Subject matter Subject category Science (e.g How a Sin wave works) Technology (e.g Traversing a binary tree data structure) Humanities/Education (e.g How to conduct a tutorial) Business (e.g How to do a sales forecast using excel) Etc… Type of RLO to design How a Sin wave works – Simulation Traversing a binary tree data structure - Animation How to conduct an effective tutorial – Quiz How to do a sales forecast using excel - Walkthrough Method of delivery Method of archiving and retrieval Technological platform for design
- 5. Method of delivery The method of delivery is important to determine which technology to use for the design Web based delivery The learning object should be web friendly Cross browser/ cross platform compatible Should be able to embed into an HTML page Should download fast Should be secure CD/DVD based delivery Cross platform compatibility (Windows, Linux, MacOS) Accessed using existing software technology Use minimum hardware resources High quality
- 6. Which technologies are available? Flash animations Flash with XML and action scripts Java Script Java Applets with Abstract Windows Toolkit (AWT) and Swing .NET Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) Silverlight Ajax Third party e-learning development software
- 7. Why the Windows Presentation Foundation WPF? Robust Web/browser/windows based Can achieve complex animations including 3D Can incorporate complex programming for adding parameters Free for academic use Has a GUI Examples: Examples need to be installed on the .NET framework before use.
- 8. What is required for WPF The WPF is a new feature of the Microsoft .NET 3.5 framework. This is available with the new Visual Studio 2008 (Free for academic purposes) The WPF builds the code automatically when GUI changes are made and vice-versa. Archiving can be problematic as the compete solution folder needs to be archived. This folder could be in the range of 1-5GB. Easier to incorporate animations and calculations than Java Applets For RLO development using WPF the following team members should be involved Designer – To envision how the RLO should look like Academics – To work out the mathematical model Program Developer – To build the Applet QA – To test the RLO for accuracy IT Support – To archive the RLO
- 9. Why third party e-learning software? Very customized for a particular type of RLO Many platforms are available for presentation Some of these software are Free for use RLOs can be easily built The RLO can be exported to a suitable platform for use The RLO can be stored as project files for re-use Examples: Animal / AlgAE / ProForm
- 10. What is required for third party e- learning software? These platforms are very specialised and caters to a specific type of RLO Some of the platforms are free whilst others charge a licensing fee Specific training is required Archiving is a bit problematic as there is no self contained package For RLO development using third party software the following team members should be involved Designer – To envision how the RLO should look like and to design the images/record voiceovers / design animations etc… Academics – To provide theoretical input / test accuracy IT Support – To archive the RLO
- 11. Why Java Applets Light weight Web/browser based Can achieve complex animations including 3D Can incorporate programming for adding parameters Can be stored as web pages on a website Free and OpenSource Examples: 1 / 2 / 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 9/ 10/ 11/ 12
- 12. What is required for Java Applet Development Java is a Free and Open Source programming platform by Sun Micro Systems A Java Applet is build purely using Java Programming. There is no GUI for this. Can be archived as a web page with supporting files For RLO development using Java Applets the following team members should be involved Designer – To envision how the RLO should look like Academics – To work out the mathematical model Program Developer – To build the Applet QA – To test the RLO for accuracy IT Support – To archive the RLO
- 13. Archiving and retrieval Web interface for Uploading/Downloading RLOs Database of RLO information (Title, RLO Storage Description, Category etc…) + Reference link
- 14. Thank you www.ishantalks.com ishansa@wou.edu.my References www.rapidintake.com http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~dwa/Animations/index.html http://www.cs.odu.edu/~zeil/animations.html http://www.algoanim.info/Animal2/?q=taxonomy/term/10 http://www.cosc.canterbury.ac.nz/mukundan/dsal/appldsal.html http://www.ngsir.netfirms.com/englishVersion.htm http://www.educypedia.be/electronics/javacollectors.htm http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/