Reusable Learning Objects: The Delivery Perspective Sarah McConnell JORUM+ Project Officer http://www.jorum.ac.uk

The big question is... Perhaps an easier question to answer is... Q. How will reusable learning objects impact on institutions and teaching practice? A. For discussion after this session … Perhaps an easier question to answer is... Q. What needs to be in place to enable this to happen? A. Effective infrastructure, support for re-purposing, and content designed for reuse

What is being done by JISC to address these needs? JISC is actively involved in research into the interoperability and reusability of learning objects: CETIS – http://www.cetis.ac.uk CETIS represents UK higher and further education institutions on international learning technology standards initiatives (e.g. IMS, IEEE) X4L Programme -http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=programme_x4l

What is X4L? The Exchange for Learning Programme (X4L) is exploring the re-use and re-purposing of existing content: Strand A – 22 content projects (from FE and HE) Strand B – 3 tools and infrastructure projects (JORUM+, RELOAD and TOIA) - in compliance with emerging IMS and IEEE learning technology specifications and standards

RELOAD – http://www.reload.ac.uk X4L Tools - RELOAD & TOIA RELOAD – http://www.reload.ac.uk Tools for authoring and transferring learning objects and lesson plans TOIA – http://www.toia.ac.uk Online assessment tools, based on IMS QTI

X4L Tools - JORUM+ The JORUM+ project is: 1) providing infrastructure to the X4L Strand A projects Hosting in database repository software systems: intraLibrary and Xtensis, until July 2005 2) scoping a national Learning Materials Repository (LMR) until December 2003 In consultation with all stakeholders Online questionnaire (followed up by telephone interviews and focus groups)

The JORUM+ questionnaire The JORUM+ questionnaire is available to all members of the UK FE and HE community. Access it via http://www.jorum.ac.uk Common concerns and remarks: IPR and copyright Recognition of authorship Ease of use - concerns about skills / staff development Worries about commodifying education Use of standards Quality assurance

Representative responses so far ‘I am in favour of sharing rather than re-inventing the wheel’ ‘It would be cost effective’ ‘Useful if learning objects are able to be modified / contextualised’ ‘We may have some real difficulties with customisation’ ‘It must take into account regional curricular differences or it will not work’ ‘As institutions are increasingly being asked to compete, ”shareability” becomes more difficult’

Contacts Project managers: RELOAD TOIA Oleg Liber - o.liber@bolton.ac.uk TOIA Ian Hesketh – ian.hesketh@strath.ac.uk JORUM+ Moira Massey - moira.massey@ed.ac.uk