1. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Canadian Association for Distance Education Wise And Witty Weekday Presentation April 19, 2006 Designing and Developing SCORM-Compliant Learning Objects

2. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Welcome! My goal for today’s presentation –Provide practical information on Designing and Developing SCORM – Compliant Learning Objects What would you like to gain from this presentation? Please feel free to ask questions as we move along. If I speak to fast….please interrupt and tell me to slow down! Welcome 2

3. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Topics SCORM a definition Journey into the SCORM Brief history of SCORM The Big Picture –From theory to practice Designing and developing content –Learning Objects –Subject Matter Experts Metadata The Content package LMS Repository 3

4. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point The SCORM Definition: The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a set of technical specifications developed by the AICC, IMS, IEEE and others that have been aggregated to form a reference model that has become a standard for sharing digital learning content in the form of Sharable Content Objects (SCO/s) 4

5. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point A Journey into the SCORM ? Learning Objects Assets Metadata SCORM Content Package Manifest.xml LMSs Stand alone Cancore Dublin Core Interoperability Reusability Accessibility Durabililty IMS IEEE Standards 5

6. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point The Journey Begins LMSs Learning objects, Metadata, Repositories The SCORM Green Folder 6 Yellow folder Blue Folder Red Folder

7. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point 1990 - 1997 Growth of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) 1997 – 1999 Learning content couldn't be moved from one LMS environment to another LMS products couldn't integrate learning content created by other systems Couldn't create searchable content or content repositories 1999 - 2000 Executive order # 13111 charging the Department of Defense with the goal of developing a set of distributed learning standards that would support the sharing of elearning content The SCORM A Brief History 7

8. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Faculty The Big Picture Metadata Accessible Learning Object Reusable/Durable “LO + Metadata is Packaged” Interoperable Repository The Sharable Content Object (SCO) life cycle Characteristics Shareable Content Object (SCO) 8 LMS

9. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point From Theory to Practice Standards based learning content for distributed learning environments (learning management systems) requires the following: Content in the form of a learning object (LO) The creation of an associated metadata file, Packaging of the learning object into a SCORM conformant Sharable Content Object (SCO). Placement of the SCO into a repository for sharing. Uploading into a learning management system (LMS) 9

10. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Designing – Developing Learning Objects Definition: A learning object is defined as a digital unit of instruction that has a learning objective, learning activities to support the objective, and an assessment that measures student learning. Characteristics or “ilities” of learning objects: –Designing for Reusability Stands alone (does not reference other materials) Small, discrete, addresses one lesson or topic Does not single out specific groups of learners, i.e. sport fans, etc. Uses flash animations and other highly interactive components only when an html option is not available –Designing for Durability Highly granular content is more likely to be used and reused Content that changes little over time is likely to be more durable Use only those elements that support the learning experience, refrain from using “eye candy” Content that “dates” the learning object will hamper durability. –Keep in mind that you’re designing a learning object for the world!. 10

11. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Student Needs in Online Learning  Sharable Content Object Faculty  (accessible, reusable, durable, granular, stand-alone, sharable, metadata, repository) Bridging the Gap Learning need becomes an  Instructional goal which becomes a  - Learning Objective (granular, durable) Learning solutions become  Instructional resources that become  - Learning activities to support the learning objective. (stand-alone, interactive/static resources ) Instructional resource 2  - Learning activities that support the learning objective. (stand-alone, interactive/static resources ) Instructional resource 3  - Learning activities that support the learning objective. (stand-alone, interactive/static resources ) Determining whether/not learning has occurred  Requires an assessment activity that allows multiple tries…and/or test out features  - Assessment activity The student needs feedback  Faculty need to know where the student had problems, time it took to resolve the  problem etc., in order to provide feedback. Learning objective and associated activities need to be SCORM compliant in order to get feedback on student assessment (Interoperability with LMS/CMS) Learning solution easily accessible to all students as often as needed  Learning object is easily moved between multiple learning/content management systems.  SCORM Compliant Sharable Content Object (accessible, reusable, durable, sharable, interoperable, SCORM compliant)

12. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Create concept map/storyboards for Learning Objects (Content Developer) Develop content Storyboard Review content/storyboards provides feedback/ideas (Instructional Designer) Revised storyboards (formatted for development) Collaborate on revising storyboards (Instructional Designer and Content developer) Content OK? Expert Review of Storyboards (Phase 1 Review) Yes No Edit Storyboards (Editor) End of Design (Continue to development) Learning Object Design Design Phase Objective: Fully developed storyboards ready for expert review of proposed instruction. Research Metadata requirements for SCORM 1.2 12

13. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Metadata/Accessibility Accessibility is the term used to identify learning objects that have been made accessible or discoverable through metadata.. What is metadata? Metadata is information that describes a learning object and tells a search engine where to find the learning object the metadata describes. How do you create metadata? Reload Editor – Free software, Dreamweaver, etc What do you do with it? The metadata file goes with the learning object 13

14. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Metadata.xml 14

15. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point The SCORM Content Package What is a SCORM content package? Why do I need to create a content package? How do I create a content package? 15

16. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point The “content package” Inside the “package” or zipped folder are: Imsmanifest.xml Folder/s Containing resource files Learning content 16 Metadata.xml

17. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Manifest File Physical Files The purpose of a content “package” is to allow material associated with learning content to be bundled, moved and installed on any system even if that system is not of the kind that created it. The content “package” is a directory of files compressed and bundled by a zip program. A content package must have a imsmanifest.xml file. The imsmanifest.xml file describes the package and its content and has the following sections; metadata, organization and resources. The Package Metadata Organization Resources Why a Content Package? 17

18. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Creating the Content Package 18

19. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Upload into an LMS 19

20. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Repositories 20 Users download a content package And upload into an LMS for use In their instruction

21. Patricia Ploetz, ABD Academic ADL Co-Lab University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Resources Conceicao, S., Olgren, C. Ploetz, P., (2006). Reusing Learning Objects in Three Settings: Implications for Online Instruction (submitted for publication, Journal of Educational Technology) Meachen, E. Olgren, C. & Ploetz, P. (2004). An Investigation of the Pedagogical and Economic Effectiveness of Sharable Content Objects, Using Standards, in Online Instruction. Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). U.S. Department of Education. Grant No. P116B020126. Ploetz, P. (2004) Faculty Development and Learning Object Technology: Bridging The Gap. Teaching with Technology Today 10(4). 21