b.cognosco

What is a learning object?. Glenn Millar has written a very good primer on learning objects, that walks through what they are, how they are constructed, and what they are used for. To quote: First, many educators see learning objects as a viable alternative to... [Column Two]

The paper, from the British Columbia Institute of Technology, classifies learning objects as having the following characteristics:

• Smaller units of learning: Learning objects usually comprise a smaller unit of learning than a course, typically ranging from two to 15 minutes.
• Self contained: Each learning object is self-contained and can be used independently of other learning objects.
• Reusable: Learning objects are reusable. The same learning object can be used in multiple contexts for multiple purposes.
• Can be aggregated: Learning objects can be grouped into larger collections of content to create more substantial units of learning.
• Tagged with metadata: All learning objects are tagged with metadata that describes the learning object and allows it to be easily retrieved in a search.

All of these are characteristics typical of what one looks for in setting up a CMS. Another important point the author makes is:

The second thing that needs to happen before learning objects can become the norm in educational practice is that educators need to learn more about them. They need to feel comfortable about using them and they need to become adept at searching for them and creating them.

Weblogs, and their associated CMS systems would make great introductions to the modular, reusable, and bite-sized concepts expressed in learning objects. Can we find a way to formalize this connection and build a stronger, long-term value proposition for the educational sector?