Learning Objects Initiative (Retired)
Are there systemic and more efficient solutions that can make creating effective web-based learning easier?
This initiative, now retired, focused on stimulating and supporting the authoring of learning objects. At the time, the theoretical work that informed the software to house learning objects (repositories) was well established, but it was very difficult to author effective, engaging learning objects. The Pachyderm Project has its roots in this initiative, and several historically important events and publications supported work in this area, including the Learning Object Summit and the NMC monograph, Guidelines for Authors of Learning Objects.
- Focus on: authoring as opposed to repositories
- Stimulate: ideas about how to use the web more effectively
Convene
people around ideas
- Online Conference on Learning Objects (Oct 2003)
- Guidelines for Authors of Learning Objects Advisory Board (2004)
- San Francisco Learning Object Summit (Sep 2002)
Catalyze
dialog and new ideas
- Understanding the needs of authors
- Quality standards
- Practical applications for learning objects
Build Community
engage people
- Alliances with MERLOT, ADL
- Pachyderm Project
- Linkages to NSDL and other groups
- Linkages to metadata and standards groups
Contribute
produce things
- Guidelines for Authors (monograph and website)
- Learning Object Landscape website and Traveler’s Guide
- Elusive Vision whitepaper
- NMC Series of Online Conferences (Archives)
- Extensive literature review
The content below is related to this initiative and comes from various places across the NMC web site. Items are listed in reverse chronological order.
Learning Objects Initiative
Learning Object Landscape
Posted December 1st, 2004 by NMCThis section of the NMC web site- composed of more than 50 pages of information and over a hundred links to external sites- is devoted to detailing the landscape of the world of Learning Objects. Here you will find links to a variety of resources related to theories, standards, and projects.
To access this information as a printable Adobe Acrobat document, see the Traveler's Guide to the Learning Object Landscape.
Introduction
When we began our journey into the world of learning objects, we had no idea that the landscape would prove to be so rich and detailed. Hundreds of articles on the subject have been written in just the past few years, and virtually every developed country has a list of organizations either engaged in learning object development or in the distribution of objects or information about objects. The list of important projects expands daily.
Guidelines For Authors of Learning Objects
Posted October 10th, 2004 by Rachel Smith
This monograph provides practical suggestions and tips for authors of learning objects. Included topics are learning objects, pedagogical and design considerations, standards, metadata, inter-operability, and reusability.
Download Guidelines For Authors of Learning Objects (1.6Mb, 32 pp) 
10720
downloads as of August 25 2008
Elusive Vision: Challenges Impeding the Learning Object Economy
Posted June 1st, 2003 by Rachel Smith
An overview of learning objects and their value introduces an analysis of the systemic challenges inhibiting the realization of a functional economy in learning objects; the essential components of such an economy are identified.
Download Elusive Vision: Challenges Impeding the Learning Object Economy (811k, 24 pp)
664
downloads as of August 25 2008
A Traveler's Guide to the Learning Object Landscape
Posted April 26th, 2003 by Rachel Smith
This collection of summarized articles and annotated weblinks provides a primer on e-learning and learning objects; key organizations, large scale initiatives, and projects; and summaries of selected articles and papers.
Download A Traveler's Guide to the Learning Object Landscape (542k, 52 pp)
1052
downloads as of August 25 2008
