Learning Activity Reference Model Charles Duncan, Ed Barker

Overview Approach Reference Model Example Further Work

LADiE Learning Activity Design in Education JISC-funded project Part of the e-Learning Framework Partners University of Southampton University of Dundee Intrallect Ltd

Associated Organisations SIESWE, Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education CPCET – Consortium for Post- Compulsory Education and Training LAMS International RELOAD Open Universiteit Nederland Icodeon Software CETIS

What is a learning activity? Reading a book Attending a lecture/seminar/lab class Research and write an essay/report Undertake formative assessment Combination of these aimed at a common learning objective

What is a Reference Model? A reference model is an unambiguous means of sharing a common understanding of a precisely defined domain among people for whom the reference model definition may be the only point of contact

Who needs a reference model? Teachers and practitioners –To formulate activities in a form that can be stored and exchanged Implementers, learning technologists –To build what the teacher wants using their institutions existing technology Vendors and developers –To create systems that conform to a service oriented approach to make the implementers lives easier

Approach Top-Down –Pedagogy driven Bottom-up –Technology capabilities

Use cases 11 detailed use cases series of practitioners workshops analysis of use cases extraction of common services extraction of “structure” of activity gap analysis

Domain Coverage - gaps DialogPlus taxonomy of activities –Context –Learning outcomes –Teaching approaches –Type (what) –Technique (how) –Interaction –Roles (which) –Tools and resources –Assessment

Common services Asyncronous discussion Synchronous discussion Wiki Multiple choice quiz Concept mapping File storage area Student record system ePortfolio

Bottom-up Interoperability –Ability to exchange learning activities at a platform/service independent level –Ability to use existing activity designs as templates for new activities Flexibility –Ability to configure an activity with different services for the same purpose –Ability to change configuration with time (from one year to the next)

Model

Creation

Set-up (services and population)

Run-Time

Services Information

Orchestration (+services) IMS Learning Design BPEL Simple Sequencing LAMS VLE + Tools Interoperability Hybrid of IMS LD and BPEL

Example – use case A 1st year HN Journalism class (Scotland) studying the UK print industry. Introductory session on structure of industry. The session would begin with a brief exposition on industry, followed by a brainstorm on categorising newspapers within the industry framework. The brainstorm would have the purpose of building dialogue and enabling validation of prior learning. An agreed model of the industry would be developed. A testing activity would follow to establish understanding and then a research based task.

Classroom –Lecture –Discussion Computer-based –Discussion forum –Assessment –Research activity –Essay submission –Feedback

Example How to orchestrate this activity –Use IMS Learning Design –Integrate with services

Further work Examine other orchestration options Extend the use cases More and more detailed services Sample implementations

Outputs Three guides: –Pedagogy Guide –Implementers Guide –Developers Guide Available – end of March