Learning Objects Making the Technology Fit the Pedagogy Bill Tait COLMSCT Associate Teaching Fellow The Open University OpenCETL Conference Oct 2007

Object Technology A learning object is a modular course component whose content is defined by a specific learning outcome. It is independent of other parts of the course so it is easily replaced and reused. It can be authored independently of other content and plugged into a course wherever the learning outcome is required. Going to a website Using hyperlinks Using a search engine

Going to a website Object Repositories Most learning objects are digital objects stored in Internet repositories where they can be discovered by searching. Or they may be in local course repositories. Authors can upload objects to a repository with the permission the manager. Going to a website Using hyperlinks Using a search engine

Contextualisation The object may have to fit into a context that defines a planned sequence of knowledge construction. So it has entry requirements that have to be met by the outcomes of earlier objects. But it must not rely on any internal content of other course objects - otherwise it is not replaceable. Going to a website Using hyperlinks Using a search engine

Implementation The object has a Learning Content which here is an Image. It should also have a Learning Activity here expressed in text to describe how the content is to be used.

Searching the Web Here is a short movie clip on using the Google search engine to find information on JavaScript. Watch the movie then carry out your own search to find pages about HTML. Discuss your findings and decide which are the best sites. See if you can find any other search engines. Video Learning Object

So a Learning Object has two pedagogies both of which may be selectable by the tutor or learner. Pedagogy of the Learning Content or inner object and the pedagogy of the Learning Activity or outer object. Pedagogy Read and test - Behaviourist Read and reflect - Cognitivist Read and use - Constructivist Delete existing URL and enter new one URL Text Image Video Simulation Diagram

So does the technology fit the pedagogy or extend it? Pedagogy Bill Tait Delete existing URL and enter new one URL