http://lre.eun.org
Dr David Massart, EUN
AgLRs – Budapest, Hungary
Nov. 2, 2009
Reusable Learning Content Discovery and Exchange
http://aspect-project.org
A Learning Object (LO) Can Be Anything Digital Used for Teaching or Learning
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects RangeFrom atomic learning assets (e.g., a picture)To complex learning resources (e.g., a
complete multimedia course)
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Asset
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Resource
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Object RepositoriesLearning Objects (LOs) can be
– Available online– Stored in a learning object repository
Learning Object Repository (LOR) = Digital Library of LOs– Manage collections of LOs– Control the access to LO collections
A LOR can be part of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
http://aspect-project.org
MetadataSome LOs are complex multimedia objectsSome LOs are hidden in LO repositoriesLOs are rarely self-contained:
– Target audience: K-12, higher-education, life-long learning
– Nature: Lesson plan, course, exercise, assessment
http://aspect-project.org
Metadata (cont.)Data about data (i.e., learning content)Initially thought in a LO Repository contextLO Descriptions (i.e., metadata)
1. Machine-readable: Building searchable indexes
2. Human-Readable: Assess LO usefulness
http://aspect-project.org
Three Steps To Obtain A Learning Object
Searching and evaluating metadata Resolving the learning object location Consuming the learning object
http://aspect-project.org
Reusable Learning ContentSome LOs
– Are open– Can be rendered in a web-browser (plugins)– Are available online
Others, more complex, are packaged with metadata describing how they can be rendered– ADL SCORM– IMS Common Cartridge– IMS QTI
http://aspect-project.org
ADL SCORMBased on the IMS Content Package (CP)
specification Defines a model for the structure and
behavior of content and componentsBased on assumptions of ubiquitous access
and availability of web-based technologies
http://aspect-project.org
SCORM ContentIs explicitly authored and prepared for use in
a SCORM environmentDelivery and instruction is coordinated
through a “learning management system” (LMS) that is responsible for managing the learner’s instructional experience (deliver, track, report, manage content)
Delivery and learner interaction is within a web-based technology environment (typically using web browser).
http://aspect-project.org
In SCORMContent alone determines what instruction the
learner sees and what data is provided to control the learning experience
LMS alone determines how to deliver, present, manage and track the learner through the learning experience and an overall specification of the instruction that is uncoupled from the specifics of the content itself
Tools are built using web-based technologies, providing a low-cost, ubiquitous delivery platform
http://aspect-project.org
IMS Common Cartridge (CC)Developed to support the exchange of more
complex and interactive learning materialsExtends CP by providing support for
– Questions and tests– The initiation of discussion forums– Basic authentication to protect the content
delivered– More detailed description of the way in which the
importing LMS is supposed to render links to specific web resources
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects, Metadata, and Repositories Revisited
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects, Metadata, and Repositories Revisited
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects, Metadata, and Repositories Revisited
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects, Metadata, and Repositories Revisited
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects, Metadata, and Repositories Revisited
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects, Metadata, and Repositories Revisited
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects, Metadata, and Repositories Revisited
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects, Metadata, and Repositories Revisited
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects, Metadata, and Repositories Revisited
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects, Metadata, and Repositories Revisited
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Objects, Metadata, and Repositories Revisited
http://aspect-project.org
A Hidden Educational WebMost on line learning resources are
unlocatable using text-based search engines (Repositories make it worse)
Search engines results are difficult to assess by teachers and pupils
Metadata help to retrieve and assess learning resources but metadata repositories are just another part of the “hidden web”
http://aspect-project.org
Learning Resource DiscoveryDecentralized approach: Federated searching
– A “source” sends a query to several “target” repositories
– Each repository processes the query and returns results to the source
Centralized approach: Metadata harvesting– A “harvester” builds a central index with metadata
harvested in target “repositories”– A source queries the harvester index.
http://aspect-project.org
Mixed Approach
http://aspect-project.org
Metadata Revisited:Machine-Readable Descriptions of LOsDiscovery
– Searching for LOs– Assessing usefulness of search results
Exchange– Obtaining an appropriate copy