Institutional Use of Learning Objects: Lessons Learned and Future Directions

摘要

A learning resource catalogue (currently LRC3) that comprises records of learning objects has been used by members of the Universitas 21 Consortium for three years. Five conceptually useful classes of learning objects are employed. While almost all faculty who were introduced to the LRC appreciate its value, need, and ease of use, few are willing to use the system for themselves. There are issues such as time to complete a record (possibly several minutes) and reluctance to make teaching materials public. Although there are acknowledged efficiency gains made by sharing and reusing learning objects, one reason for the slow uptake is the lack of a reward system that parallels rewards for publicising research. While improvements to the LRC continue to be made, including collaborative tools and in record creation, cultural changes in the adoption of educational technology and the recognition and reward for teaching seem to be the main reasons that the utilisation of learning objects will take time.