17-Oct-02http://tmf.gg.uwyo.edu/ The Educational Object Economy: What is it? How do we make it a reality in the Earth sciences? James D. Myers Department of Geology and Geophysics University of Wyoming

Educational Objects: Definition software for education, training or expertise transfer characterized by: –discoverability –modularity –interoperability –reusability

Educational Objects: Discoverability ability to find an object characterized by standardized, searchable information, i.e. metadata permits discovery by electronic search identifies –creator –purpose –technical requirements –subject classification

Educational Objects: Modularity characteristics: free standing, non- sequential, coherent functions independently without external resources useable with creator assistance

Educational Objects: Modularity two approaches –black-box: inner workings hidden two interfaces: –public: no change to object, use as –parameter: object appearance and/or functionality modified slightly degree of change determined by creator object code unchanged –gray-box: code provided user can edit it recompile / publish slightly different object or application

Educational Objects: Interoperability refers to two scales: –large: works on variety of hardware platforms, operating systems and/or Web browsers –smaller scale: must exchange information with other objects built to same open standard objects standardized in manner of connection not operation

Educational Objects: Reusability foundation for creating applications from objects not a primary characteristic –ensured if object has the three main characteristics discoverability modularity interoperability

Building Learning Applications objects can be reused, recombined, and customized allows rapid creation of multimedia-rich educational resources example: wave propagation object –lab exercise on seismic waves –lecture on interior of the Earth –study-aid on ocean wave refraction key is access and availability of objects

Using EOs to Create Learning Applications

Educational Object Economy (EOE) constitutes: –design –creation –exchange promoted by Web sites –EOE (Educational Object Economy) –MERLOT (Multimedia Educational Resources for Learning and Online Teaching)

Educational Objects: Benefits flexible updates, searches & content management easy customization competency-based learning increased value

Educational Object Economy (EOE) not reviewed, commented on or combined with others availability varies widely with discipline –1411 physics –324 computer science –157 health science limited adoption by Earth sciences –47 for Earth science

Educational Object Economy (EOE) three factors contribute to slow adoption and growth of an EOE –small number of educators willing to acquire skills to create educational objects –social and legal barriers –duplication of effort

Earth Science EOE Earth science must develop its own EOE many have roles in its creation –developers/producers –educators/users –administrators –funding agencies

Earth Science EOE: Developers characterize their objects with metadata –make it as specific as possible –complete insure modularity make objects interoperable –function across range of platforms –exchange data according to standards post objects to EOE Web sites

Earth Science EOE: Educators assist developers –provide functional and pedagogical feedback –indicate types of objects needed –share ideas for objects use objects to create customized learning applications –disseminate these applications share tips and hints by commenting on objects and applications

Earth Science EOE: Administrators recognize object development and dissemination as an important academic endeavor make resources available for technology development projects, e.g. time, money, software/hardware develop formal guidelines to evaluate object development for tenure and promotion decisions

Earth Science EOE: Funding Agencies support developer/user teams promote projects to assess educational object effectiveness encourage efforts to develop ways to disseminate education objects to the widest possible audience –specific EOE Earth science Web site –inclusion in digital library efforts

Summary educational objects are standalone software “chunks” characterized by: discoverability, modularity, interoperability, reusability reused and recombined to produce learning applications Earth science has not adopted EOE model