Learning Object
by John Fleischman
Imagine a world where everyone could access learning materials at any time, in just the right context, and in a variety of media. Actually, that world may not be that far off into the future. The vision of modularized, customized, and personalized instruction is emerging today in the form of learning objects and new standards for learning technology.
The fundamental idea behind learning objects is the notion of small, reusable chunks of instructional media that can be used individually or strung together to provide units of instruction. Learning object media might be in the form of text, graphics, audio, video, animation, or any combination. In the broadest sense, a learning object is any digital resource that can be reused to support learning. These learning objects are delivered over the Internet, meaning that any number of people can access them and use them simultaneously.
To facilitate the widespread adoption of the learning objects approach, a collection of standards and specifications has been adapted from multiple sources. Known as the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), the classification system allows for the interoperability of digital learning materials. By using the SCORM classification system, anyone who develops a learning object can be assured that it will interoperate with other content using that same approach.
For more information:
Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative (Source of SCORM)
http://www.adlnet.gov
The IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee (Source of learning object metadata)
http://ieeeltsc.org
Learning Object Tutorial
http://www.eduworks.com/LOTT/tutorial
Learning Object Repositories
http://elearning.utsa.edu/guides/LO-repositories.htm
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