[IAEP] http://www.nln.ac.uk/ - national learning network

[forster at ozonline.com.au]

> On Sun, Nov 2, 2008 at 8:33 PM, David Van Assche <dvanassche at gmail.com> wrote:
> > This is a uniquely interesting site with content for the entire
> > British curriculum that has been put into a format importable in all
> > VLEs, with a concentration on Moodle.

Thanks David for this link. Lots of good stuff there. Though the learning objects are password protected, the tutor guides are downloadable and give screenshots of the learning objects. It is possible to get an idea of what the learning objects are from the tutor guides. 

For another set of learning objects, see http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/default.asp

In general, such learning objects are interactive multimedia objects which aim to use computers to provide an engaging learning experience, allow for self-paced learning and provide multiple representations, eg. text, sound and video for learners' different learning styles.

Yet another aspect of using computers to provide engaging learning is Quest Atlantis where largely web browser based learning modules are linked by the narrative of a 3D world. For a description see http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=VH5Vh96Lftw

In general, learning objects are closed source. Bill Kerr has posted on the importance of open source for students. It allows students to "kick the tyres and look under the bonnet at the engine" It is part of having students actively involved in the creation of knowledge rather than passive recipients. The construction of understanding by a learner is specific to the learner and follows a trajectory which is difficult to predict. For that reason, learning materials should have maximum flexibility and should be able to be re-purposed in ways that the designer could not predict.

Ewout argues for OER (open education resources) and there are strong arguments for sharing materials in an open way but for me the strongest argument for openness is where students are placed in an enriched environment where everything can be inspected and re-purposed. This requires both open source learning objects and the tools that easily allow them to be altered.

Etoys has that flexibility (as do TurtleArt and Scratch). VPRI have described Etoys learning sequences which allow learners this kind of flexibility. I have made open source learning objects at http://rupert.id.au/schoolgamemaker/samples3/ (sorry windows only)

There have been studies where putting computers into classrooms has produced no significant difference in outcome. That is (imo) because pencil and paper and didactic teaching are quite efficient at teaching skills and facts and the computer offers no significant benefits for that. The power of the computer is as a tool to think with, one that gives multiple ways to grapple with a concept. To do this well, materials need maximum flexibility.

As we seek to support Sugar with additional teaching resources, we need to base it on a model of flexible learning which empowers the learner and perhaps just leave some functions to the traditional techniques.