A Model for Determining the Size of Learning Objects
Abstract
The Dutch six-part series Leerobjecten in de praktijk (Learning objects in practice) is about six divergent and difficult problems that occur frequently in working with learning objects. Based on research into existing practice, guidelines are offered to policy makers, educational technology consultants, teachers, educational designers and developers of digital learning materials who are struggling with these problems in higher education. The size of learning objects is a conference paper, which is based on one of the Dutch documents in this series. Starting from ten mainly Dutch successful learning object practices, a model is developed in which LO size is jointly determined by three factors: (1) surface learning versus deep learning (2) resources versus LOs that are passed through (3) arrangement of meaningful units is done within versus outside the LO. These three factors determine (1) the appropriate size of the LOs, (2) the homogeneity of the collection of LOs, (3) the principles that apply in developing the LOs: either the principle of Agreement on pedagogy, or the principle of collective use: keep the objects as big as possible, unless its parts will be used separately. This document is aimed at researchers and developers of digital learning materials. (http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?isnumber=34637&arnumber=1652362&count=354&index=19)