ALT-C Conference Sep 2007
Extending the Scope of Learning
Objects with XML
Bill Tait
COLMSCT Associate Teaching Fellow
The Open University
Objects
Learning objects are modular
course components defined by
specific learning outcomes.
Module 1
Manageable - they are easily authored,
updated and replaced without
disturbing the rest of the course.
Understand
program loops
Reusable - they are discoverable,
less expensive than custom objects
and often multimedia objects.
Module 3
Module 4
Abstraction
The object must fit into a context
that defines a planned sequence
of knowledge construction.
Selection
Repetition
It has entry requirements that
have to be met by outcomes of
earlier units.
Entry requirements can be added
to object metadata to preserve
sequencing.
Entry
requirements
Arrays
Interface
Encapsulation
Objects can’t use internal
contents of other components.
So they can’t extend practical
examples to form authentic
progression.
Selection
Repetition
Calculator
Entry
requirements
Need to develop each from
scratch or add internal links to
the entry requirements.
Internal
links
Calculator
Arrays
Calculator
Interface
Calculator
Implementation
How the learning is achieved –
Method - text
that defines a
learning activity.
Content –
multimedia that
enables the
learning process.
Container – application whose style
should be consistent with context.
Internet Objects
Internet repository objects
available by searching.
Most objects incompatible with the
local study context because of
abstraction, encapsulation and
implementation mismatch.
Selection
Calculator
Repetition
Graphing
Arrays
Calculator
But the inexpensive option, useful
for revision and lifelong learning
since they provide multiple views.
Interface
Calculator
Intranet Objects
These are custom designed for a
specific institutional intranet.
They can meet the requirements of
contextualisation and encapsulation
but implementation may still have to
be adapted for tutor groups.
Selection
Calculator
Here is a two number
calculator that can add,
subtract, multiply and divide.
It is quite a useful calculator
bur can be improved.
Repetition
Discuss features that you
would like to add and how
you might do this. Then
select one of these
improvements and add it to
the code. Test your
program and see if it does
what you expected.
Calculator
Arrays
Calculator
But they are expensive requiring
in-house or bought-in expertise to
create and maintain.
Interface
Calculator
eXtensible Learning Objects
Use XML (eXtensible Markup Language) to separate the
method text from the rest of the object into two files.
XLO allow the tutor to edit the text and adapt Internet objects
to cope with pedagogical mismatch - a form of repurposing.
The implementation can be further adapted to meet the
needs of single student groups by fine tuning the method.
eXtensible Learning Objects
Results
The tutorials were published on a website and found to be
easily adaptable online by tutors.
Feedback was obtained from the website access statistics,
html forms and subsequent student workshops.
Tutors and students approved of the tutorials but students
preferred the original independent learning version.
XLO Applications
Adaptable LO – the tutor or course team can acquire an
XLO, edit it and save it as their own copy. Also Mobile LO – keep the content but change the presentation
container to a mobile format eg with voiceover for text.
Template LO – the tutor can add both learning activity and
content such as graphics, digital images or movies.
Mobile Learning Objects
Template Learning Objects
Searching the Web
Here is a short movie clip
on using the Google search
engine to find information
on JavaScript on the web.
Watch the movie then carry
out your own search to find
pages about HTML. Discuss
your findings and decide
which are the best sites.
See if you can find any
other search engines.
Conclusion
XLO are technically feasible and easily modified online by
tutors to adapt objects to the local pedagogy.
The process can be applied to the repurposing of Internet
objects or the customising of Intranet objects.
XML technology can be used to extend
the pedagogical scope of learning objects
in many other ways including the use of
Mobile, Template and other versions.