Java Learning Objects: a cross cultural perspective Presentation at JICC 9 31/1/05 (London Metropolitan University) Peter Chalk and Mei Qi, Department of Computing, Communications Technology & Mathematics, London Metropolitan University, Holloway Road, London, N7 8DB, UK

Purpose of study Learning Objects in introductory Java courses have proved successful Now translated into Chinese and used at a University in Beijing Study explores differences in perception and usefulness of Los and whether this may relate to cultural differences Translation into a new language raised issues of re- engineering Los Size, graphic, text, Java code, explication, icons and navigation are all affected

Two example LOs

Two more LOs

Some evaluation results Comparative satisfaction figures

Conclusions Too early to say what the results mean in terms of cultural differences between UK and Chinese university education Issues for ‘packaging’ and re-engineering LOs when translation required Need to incorporate into XML or other LO standard (eg IMS)