|
Learning objects are
currently the subject of much interest and excitement in online learning.
There is some discussion about what exactly learning objects are, but
in essence, they are small chunks of instructional content, often in the
form of simulations or applets, which faculty can select from a central
repository to use in their own teaching. The big advantage of learning
objects is seen in their granularity: if the chunks or objects are small
enough, faculty will use content created by others and thus not have to
make all the digital materials that they use themselves. A number of projects
have sought to make digital learning objects available to academics by
means of repositories or "referatories," including:
More information about
learning objects some sources you may consult are:
However, much of the
attention given to learning objects thus far has been focused on questions
of how to create, store and tag the objects. Less frequently addressed
is the issue of the instructional design and pedagogical issues involved
in using learning objects on any large scale. These questions include:
- What challenges
does the use of learning objects pose to current models of instructional
design?
- As faculty, what
are some of the ways that we can teach well using learning objects?
- What are some of
the ways to include learning objects into teaching in such a way that
student learning and understanding are enhanced?
- What are some of
the pitfalls of trying to teach using learning objects?
- What obstacles
do faculty face when they teach a course that incorporates significant
numbers of learning objects made by others? How do faculty members overcome
these obstacles and challenges?
The Learning Technology
Development Council at the University of Wisconsin System is seeking faculty
to participate in exploring some of these issues. We are looking for faculty
who are in the process of planning and designing courses to be taught
in Summer or Fall of 2002 to participate in a grant program on incorporating
learning objects into their courses.Faculty selected for
the program would receive a $1500 stipend and would be brought together
for a brief training workshop on learning objects and how to use them
in teaching. They would then identify a significant number of learning
objects relevant to their discipline and course, and incorporate those
objects into their teaching. These learning objects would come from a
range of sources: some might be made by the faculty member themselves
but the bulk would be found in repositories, referatories or from publishers.
The faculty member would then write a brief (4-6 page) report on their
experience, addressing issues such as:
- How to find and
identify the best and most appropriate learning objects for use in higher
education.
- Different ways
of incorporating learning objects from a variety of sources into their
courses.
- Examples of assignments
and exercises built around learning objects.
- Drawbacks and problems
involved in using learning objects from a variety of sources.
- Integrating learning
objects into course management systems, such as Blackboard or WebCT.
In addition, each
faculty member participating in the program will be required give a short
presentation on their learning object project at either the LTDC summer
conference on Learning Objects and Pedagogy (July1-2, 2002) or at LTDC
meetings in the fall or winter.We anticipate that
up to 10 faculty members will be selected to participate in this project.
Criteria used in selecting faculty to participate include:
- Faculty experience
in using technology.
- Appropriateness
of the course proposed for the inclusion of learning objects.
- Availability of
learning objects for the discipline and course selected.
- The extent to which
learning objects will be used in the course. (It is difficult to quantify
exactly how many learning objects would qualify as a significant use.
However, there would need to be a sufficiently large number of objects,
they need to be materially related to the general course outcomes and
must play an important and identifiable pedagogical role within the
course.)
- The range of different
types of courses and disciplines represented. The goal is to have as
wide a range of courses as possible, including large introductory courses,
small seminars, hybrid courses, enhanced traditional face-to-face courses
and completely online courses. We would similarly hope to have a mix
of courses from the natural sciences, the humanities, the social sciences
and professional courses.
To apply please submit
a two (2) page proposal addressing the following issues:
- The discipline
in which you teach and the particular course in which you plan to integrate
digital learning objects.
- When the course
will be offered, the level of the course and how many students you anticipate
having.
- Whether the learning
objects will be offered through the medium of a course management system
(such as WebCT or Blackboard).
- An example of one
or more of the learning objects that you plan to use in your class and
a listing of others that you have identified.
- How these learning
objects will address specific learning objectives for the course.
- Where do you plan
to find the learning objects for use in your class (including links
to repositories and referatories and a list of appropriate objects that
you have found there).
- Include a syllabus
for the proposed course as an additional attachment.
In developing your
proposal we strongly encourage you to work with the learning technology
development person on your campus (see http://www.uwsa.edu/olit/ltdc/ltdclist.htm).
Where to Submit:
Submit your proposal as an attachment in Word or RTF format via email
to Glenda Morgan at gmorgan@uwsa.edu.
You can also contact me via phone (608.265-9559) or email with any questions
about the program. Deadline:
All applications must be received electronically by April 15, 2002.
Participants will be informed by May 1, 2002, about whether they have
been selected or not. The $1500 stipends will be disbursed in the Summer
of 2002.For more information
contact:
Glenda Morgan
Office of learning and Information Technology
University of Wisconsin System
(608) 265-9559
gmorgan@uwsa.edu
Return to LTDC page.
|
