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Learning Objects and Higher Education Pedagogy: Importance, Benefits, and Costs Dr. Robert J. Beck University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

“Learning objects … are destined to forever change the shape and form of learning, and in so doing, … will also usher in an unprecedented efficiency of learning content design, development, and delivery.” “Learning objects … are destined to forever change the shape and form of learning, and in so doing, … will also usher in an unprecedented efficiency of learning content design, development, and delivery.” -- H. Wayne Hodgins, “The Future of Learning Objects” (2000) The Future of Learning ObjectsThe Future of Learning Objects

Overview: Three Questions The Importance The Benefits The Costs

I. Definition any digital resource that can be reused to support learning -- Wiley, “ Connecting Learning Objects to Instructional Design Theory ” (2000) Connecting Learning Objects to Instructional Design Theory Connecting Learning Objects to Instructional Design Theory

Core Elements Metadata tags are arguably not characteristic Even so, such tags significantly enhance LO utility

Core Elements A spectrum of LO’s exists Images: photos, art work, maps Images: photos, art work, maps Course tools: Java applets Course tools: Java applets Case studies Case studies Course modules Course modules Web portal sites Web portal sites

II. LO ’ s Importance “The main idea of ‘learning objects’ is to break educational content down into small chunks that can be reused in various learning environments, in the spirit of object-oriented programming” “The main idea of ‘learning objects’ is to break educational content down into small chunks that can be reused in various learning environments, in the spirit of object-oriented programming” -- David Wiley

An object-oriented approach may permit faculty to Avoid “ wheel reinvention ” Be more ambitious Expend less effort Create custom courses

III. LO Benefits - Examples TTT Fellowship Program ClassroomGEODE

Teaching with Technology at Tufts (TTT) Fellowship Program

Dr. Kenneth Lang Physics and Astronomy Department

Dr. Ross Feldberg Biology Department

Dr. Krishna Kumar’s Project 3-D Visualization of Organic Molecules One 2-D example: “the mechanism of pinacol pinacolone rearrangement”

Classroom: Online Case Study “ President Clinton's Response to Kosovo ” A Teaching Human Rights Online (THRO) Case

GEODE Global Education Online Depository and Exchange

GEODE

IV. LO Costs? Two learning “object lessons”

Lesson 1: “Granularity” and Cost Granularity – “The size of a given ‘chunk’ of curricular material” – i.e., learning object

“Granularity” and Cost Small “chunk” Large “chunk” Example Flexibility of use Instructor role in post- production Meta-tag costs relative to size

“Granularity” and Cost Small “chunk” Large “chunk” Example Map or image of Kosovo Instructor role in post- production “Some assembly required” Flexibility of use High Meta-tag costs relative to size High

“Granularity” and Cost Small “chunk” Large “chunk” Example Map or image of Kosovo Case study of Kosovo Instructor role in post- production “Some assembly required” Pre-assembled Flexibility of use HighLess Meta-tag costs relative to size HighLow

Lesson 2: Metadata Tagging and Cost

Metadata Tagging and Cost Meta-tagged Not tagged Degree of Sharability Degree of Seachability Faculty production Production costs Maintenance costs

Metadata Tagging and Cost Meta-tagged Not tagged Degree of Sharability High Degree of Seachability High Faculty production More difficult Production costs High Maintenance costs More costly, if metadata is updated

Metadata Tagging and Cost Meta-tagged Not tagged Degree of Sharability HighUncertain Degree of Seachability High Likely to require a portal site host Faculty production More difficult Less difficult Production costs HighModest Maintenance costs More costly, if metadata is updated Less costly

V. Conclusion ImportanceBenefitsCosts