Aiming for the stars: challenges in managing the development of

shareable online learning objects

Catherine ClarkThe University of Western Australia

Outline of presentation

• Evidence• Pedagogy• Project management• Delivery method and software• Questions

Why learning objects?

“If you are juggling research and teaching / work and family commitments, out of office hours times can make all the difference”.

“...we need lots of repeats of basic stuff. There is so much to know when we first start, most of it goes in one ear and out the other.“

“Students should get a handbook that has all the notes from the various training programs in it. Then students can refer to these as necessary.”

Research skills

• Managing information• Writing research

proposals• Writing literature

reviews• Effective use of

EndNote • Tracking research

arguments through time

• How to write a better thesis

• Keeping up to date with developments in your field of research

• Effective searching of electronic resources

• Use of metrics in deciding where to publish

Pedagogy...reusable, digital objects...

UWA definitionTechnical specifications

“In this context a learning object is defined as a stand-alone learning resource that contains learning content, reference material, templates and checklists and activities/interactions interlinked with a consistent navigational scheme. “

Pedagogy Context

Project Management

Development + delivery

Development + deliveryTemplates: Articulate

Development + deliveryTemplates: Raptivity

Development + deliveryFlexible: HTML

In summary...

...challenges in developing learning objects are many and varied and include:

• Content• Pedagogy• Project management• Delivery and access

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and

you will get neither.

C. S. Lewis

www.paulsizer.com

Questions

Catherine ClarkT: 08 6488 3659

caclark@library.uwa.edu.au