re-using online learning materials: application and process julie watson and vicky wright...
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Re-using online learning materials: application
and process
Julie Watson and Vicky [email protected] [email protected]
Overview
• Introduction– eLanguages at Southampton
• E-learning materials in Higher Education• Learning Objects (LOs) and the concept
of re-usability• Design processes• Issues and challenges for the future
Introduction
• Consortium of 6 UK universities led by Southampton
• Funded to develop e-tutor supported online English for Academic Purposes (EAP) modules (IELTS 5.5-6.5)
• Initially designed for use on newly developed learning environment (SUN Systems)
• Now being re-purposed for use on Blackboard in both blended and distance modes
E-learning material
• Developed in the form of reusable learning objects (LOs)
• The ‘building blocks’ for stand-alone online modules in EAP or online support programs in blended learning environments
• Designed for use on different web-based platforms (interoperable)
Learning Objects
• … are internally contextualised• … are activity-based • … use text, audio, video, animation,
interactive exercises, threaded discussion, real-time voice and text chat
Towards reusability
• Conformity to a set of design principles ensuring a consistent LO style
• Use of a customised Dreamweaver toolbar for LO creation
• Use of reusable Flash activity types into which new content can be inserted
• Ensuring LOs can be delivered through different VLEs
The customised Dreamweaver toolbar
– Activity boxes– Show/hide buttons – Glossary link– Link to gateway page for weblinks– Online dictionary link– Text fields for writing in– Drop down boxes– Radio buttons– Links to dependent resources ( DRs) such as images,
Flash, pdf and Word files, Hot Potatoes
Processing learning objectsCreate LOs Submit for
editorial comment
Carry out any revisions
Checklist LOs
Submit LOs to Southampton
Final editing
Final checklisting
Move LOs from working to master folders
Upload to web-based learning environment
Course design processDesign new course
Retrieve suitable LOs from existing bankCarry out any
revisions Create any new LOs neededEdit and
checklistnew LOs
Review and revise course structure and contentCreate course
structure in VLE Move LOs
from working to master folders
Upload LOs to VLE
First problems
• Level of interactivity/student scaffolding• Clarity of LO instructions • Guidelines for developers • Creating reusable LOs • Dependent resources • Weblinks
Future challenges
• Assigning metadata to LOs• Storage and retrieval of LOs• Simple user interface for Flash bank• Research and refreshment
Useful references
• Jolliffe, A., J. Ritter & D. Stevens (2001) The Online Learning Handbook: Developing and Using Web-based Learning. London and Sterling, VA: Kogan Page.
• Littlejohn, A. (Ed) (2003) Reusing Online Resources: a sustainable approach to e-learning. London and Sterling, VA: Kogan Page.