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A Learning Object is any entity, digital or non-digital, that can be used, re-used or referenced during technology-supported learning. Examples of learning objects include multimedia content, instructional content, instructional software and software tools that are referenced during technology-supported learning. (IGIGlobal, para 1).
Each module in the Masters of teacher librarianship is effectively an intense learning object. The title and introduction sets the learning intention and a variety of online activites support the objectives in the course outline. Shorter learning objects are more appropriate for classroom use and I can really see the value of these particularly for the future of homework.
1. The first learning object I have chosen is using data to solve problems. This unit is intended for a year 4 class. It is presented graphically, with a topic map, Australian Curriculum outcomes, activities, web 2.0 tools, and assessment tasks. The unit can be opened as a pdf or a doc and is comprehensive. This unit can be applied to different themes e.g. pollution, transport, mathematics topics.
2. The second learning object I have chosen is the First Fleet. This learning path is found in Scootle. It has been written by Trish Clegg and provides 3 online resources and student questions to be answered in an online blog or workbook.
3. This learning object is designed for parents to do with their young students in learning from home environment. It is called Seasonal walk and guides parents Students take a walk around their local area to collect some data
about the animals and plants they can find during one of the four seasons. The last page explains the reasons why this activity is useful for parents.
Advantages of learning objects:
- Many have been written by educators and are provided free through the Department of ed NSW sites.
- They are reusable! You just need an efficient filing system for easy and logical retrieval.
- Students can work on learning object tasks wherever they have wifi access.
Disadvantages of learning objects:
- Links change and checking links can be time-consuming.
- Power and internet access may not be reliable.
- Students require their own devices 1:1 to complete tasks.
Digital tasks have been a feature of library lessons, however, I can see the value in combining several tasks together in a learning object. This would allow more time for the TL to circulate and support students in working through these tasks. Students can self-pace and differentiation can be built into the sequence.
Education Services Australia. (n.d.). Digital technologies hub: Families Digital Technologies. https://www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/docs/default-source/family-tasks/parent-guide—collecting-seasonal-data_white-bkgd.pdf
Education Services Australia. (2020, July 14). Scootle. https://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/p/home
IGIGlobal. (n.d.). What is a learning object? https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/designing-blended-learning-strategies-for-rich-content/16905
