Object lessons Jenny Niven and Gráinne Hamilton Stòr Cùram e-Learning Advisers Workshop presentation at National eHealth education, Training and Development Conference, Stirling, 29 September 2004

2 Workshop plan Introduction to Stòr Cùram What are learning objects? Learning objects: process of creation Learning objects: examples How can learning objects support learning? What’s a repository? Finding learning objects in the Stòr Discussion, comments, questions

3 Why Stòr Cùram? We wanted a Scottish identity, but not another acronym! … so: Stòr – pronounced ‘store’ - is Gaelic for storehouse Cùram – pronounced ‘coo-ram’ - is Gaelic for care

4 Project staff Project Manager – Neil Ballantyne Librarian – Sarah Currier Learning Technologist – Ivanna Fernandez Administrator – Romana McGlynn Clerical Assistant – Laura Molloy e-Learning Adviser – Jenny Niven - Robert Gordon University e-Learning Adviser – Gráinne Hamilton - University of Edinburgh Glasgow School of Social Work

5 Specific project aims Funded by Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education until July 2005 to: Develop a national ‘learning object repository’, or web- based library of learning resources. Populate the library with reusable learning objects from three different sources. Help social work educators embed these reusable learning objects in their teaching practice.

6 What are learning objects? Re-usable, accessible and adaptable Small chunks of learning material which can be easily updated Easy to blend with other resources whether digital or traditional Adaptable to meet demands of local curricula Designed to be used on a range of platforms

7 Examples of learning objects Multi-media simulations and case studies Web pages Quizzes Animations Video clips PowerPoint presentations Word documents with learning activities, handouts, reading lists, etc. Images, e.g. graphs, diagrams, photos, etc.

8 Three different sources of learning objects Fifty new multi-media learning objects created by the project in consultation with the advisory group. Repurposing existing learning resources – digital and non-digital. Enabling learning resource exchange between social work educators – PowerPoint slides, learning activities, handouts, etc.

9 Developing new learning objects Develop new multimedia learning objects conceptual & case-based

10 New multi-media learning objects conceptual & case-based

11 Repurpose existing learning resources Reuse & repurpose learning resources

12 Exchanging learning resources Enable exchange of learning resources Stòr Cùram Nine HEIsSCIE Social work agencies Centres for excellence Stòr Cùram Glasgow School of Social Work University of Stirling University of Paisley Glasgow Caledonian University Robert Gordon University Open University University of Dundee University of Edinburgh Learning activities PowerPoint presentations Handouts

13 Collaboration Greater collaboration and sharing of quality learning material through repository Inter-disciplinary sharing of learning resources Access to wide range of learning resources Shared learning, communities of practice

14 Our Learning Objects Fact or Professional Judgement? Genogram Meet the O’Donnells

15 e-learning for effective and ethical practice? “The line between so called ‘classroom learning’ and ‘learning in practice’ needs to be blurred”

16 How can this be achieved? Multi-media case studies Video exemplars Service users’ views Rich media explanations of difficult ideas Greater collaboration Inter-disciplinary sharing For use in classroom, to provoke group discussion, home study, revision before/during placements.

17 Multi-media case studies Multi-media case studies focus academic learning on real world practice Case based scenario introduced and then student can work through content, interactions, quizzes, assessments etc Rich media explanations of difficult ideas that can be reviewed, revised and applied

18 Video Video exemplars of expert practice View anytime, anywhere Provoke discussion on expert practice Students see real life application of learning Preparation for real life placement

19 Service users’ views Authentic accounts of service users’ views Gain understanding of service users’ views in context to what student is learning Preparation for meeting service users

20 Stòr Cùram: what is the “storehouse”? A library (or repository) of learning objects for social work education. Searchable by key words, educational attributes, etc. Browse through a specially developed Stòr Cùram subject classification or taxonomy. Accessible by all social work educators in Scotland. A way of enabling Scotland wide collaboration in the creation and sharing of high quality, flexible, learning resources.

21 The digital repository Enable storage, search & retrieval

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23 Now that you’ve seen some examples How could those help me? Think of areas that peers or students struggle with How could learning objects assist them in gaining greater understanding Do you have content you can share with the Stòr? Contact details are contained within your packs.