DigiLearn Using Learning Objects & Digital Resources Information from and Graeme Oswin

What are Learning Objects?

The Federation uses the ‘learning object’ model to design and construct the digital content. Learning objects:  may be one or more files or ‘chunks’ of material, designed to contribute to the learning of the user, consisting of, for example, graphics, text, audio, animation, calculator, interactive notebook  are reusable – a single learning object may be used in multiple contexts for multiple purposes for example across curriculum areas, year levels, locales and cultures  can also be used as components of a topic or unit of work alongside other digital and non-digital resources and tools  are accessible from World Wide Web resource repositories and are referenced, located and accessed by their metadata descriptors  can be identified, stored, sequenced and tracked using a content or learning management system.

Why Use Learning Objects? Teachers are choosing to use learning objects in a range of ways and for different purposes:  to engage and motivate students with meaningful multimedia interactive learning experiences related to curriculum content, concepts and skills  to provide opportunities for students to learn differently and more effectively in a range of rich and relevant learning contexts  to provide a range of learning experiences not otherwise readily available in standard school classrooms because of complexity, safety, time or cost  to challenge and encourage students to question, investigate, analyse, synthesise, make decisions and reflect on their learning

Why Use Learning Objects? Teachers are choosing to use learning objects in a range of ways and for different purposes:  as a means of scaffolding learning and providing feedback for students  to provide for different student learning styles and abilities  to allow for self-paced learning opportunities for students to revisit and revise content and skills  to use alongside a range of other non-digital and digital content and tools, such as: experiments; field work; search and use of World Wide Web content; spreadsheets and databases; publishing and presentation software and tools; concept mapping software; online quizzes and tests; collaborative discussion tools; digital cameras  to foster ICT skill development  as a stimulus for creating imaginative new learning objects.

Curriculum Areas The Federation (TLF) has produced a substantial body of learning objects in six curriculum priority areas: Mathematics and numeracy Innovation, enterprise and creativity Literacy for students at risk LOTE: Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian Science Studies of Australia

Problem! Learning Objects were difficult to use 1.Loaded on laptops and network 2. Searchable on laptops But… how do students access the activities?

DigiLearn

Search DigiLearn

Preview & Download Objects Copy the web address … and paste into a document Preview the Object live Add to Cart for Downloading & local install

Create a Document with Links With your partner complete these activities: Heroes of the AirHeroes of the Air 4. Medical Emergency at Lonely CreekMedical Emergency at Lonely Creek Just copy the link from the DigiLearn site and paste into a Word Document, on your School Intranet, etc. This will give students immediate access to the Learning Object. (You can hide the address if you use hyperlinks like in activity 3 & 4)

Some Example Learning Objects Wishball (Math) Gold Rush (History) Night & Day (Science/Geography) Catch a Thief (Thinking Processes) Human Body (Science) Direct a Robot: Collector (Math/Thinking Processes)

Some Example Digital Resources

Some Other sites Woodlands Junior School Thinkfinity

Where to from here? SOME IDEAS … Map some Learning Objects into a Curriculum Unit Add some Numeracy Objects to a Math Task Centre Create a Professional Learning Team to investigate Learning Objects Link with others across the Cluster to investigate the use of Learning Objects