Project SynergyDiscovering Learning Objects

TLT Brown Bag PresentationMay 1, 2002

Presentation ObjectivesPresentation Objectives

•Project Synergy Grant Overview

• Overview of Learning Objects

•Highlight Learning Object and Activity

Project Synergy OverviewProject Synergy Overview

•MHEC funded Grant Project of MarylandOnline

•MarylandOnline-consortium of 23 MD universities/colleges

Why Project Synergy?Why Project Synergy?

•Follow-up to FOTTC grant

•Overcome limitations of FOTTC grant

•need for more discipline-specific technology resources

•Birth of Project Synergy idea

Project OutcomesProject Outcomes

•Expand Maryland Faculty Online website

•www. Mdfaconline.org

•Develop a repository of discipline-specific learning object in key disciplines

•Prepare & field test guided activities using LO

•Train faculty

Grant ApproachGrant Approach

•Create six key discipline teams:

•Mathematics, Science, Liberal Arts, Teacher Education, Information Technology and Allied Health and Health Management

•Each college sends 2-6 instructors per discipline

•Research minimum of 5 learning objects and create a learning activity for each learning object

•Teams facilitated by Team Leaders

•Content experts within discipline

Learning Objects in 21st Century

Learning Objects in 21st Century

Image

Audio Lecture

Early Modernism: Focus on Auguste Rodin

Dr. Perminda Jacob

Case Study

Need for Clear DefinitionNeed for Clear Definition

A Learning Object is a self-standing, discrete piece of instructional content that meets a learning objective.” (MASIE, p. 24)

Making Sense of Learning Specifications and Standards, The MASIE Center, March 6, 2002

Others: differentiate between being digital/non-digital and being used for “technology-supported” versus any type of learning

What Makes LO Special?What Makes LO Special?

•Reusable

•Accessible (via the Web)

•Durable (across evolving OS updates)

•Portable (across platforms ex. CMS)

Why the Hype?Why the Hype?

•Ability to “personalize” instruction

•Reduce duplication of effort

•Technology-enabled instruction

Information Technology Group Members

•Bob Armstrong - University of Maryland Baltimore County

•Enid Bank - University of Maryland University College

•Nancy Bogage - Community College of Baltimore County

•Jim Kelley - Wor-Wic Community College

•Chima Ugah - Baltimore City Community College

Other Possible Objects

•How a hard drive works http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/harddrive/

•Howstuffworks “How Web Servers Work” http://howstuffworks.lycoszone.com/web-server1.htm

•Warriors of the Net http://warriorsofthe.net/movie.html

•A Modular Approach to Teaching/Learning http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/pyramid.htm

How a Hard Drive Works

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/harddrive/

Howstuffworks “How Web Servers Work” http://howstuffworks.lycoszone.com/web-server1.htm

Warriors of the Nethttp://warriorsofthe.net/movie.html

Techtionary

• Description: TECHtionary is the world's first animated dictionary on telecommunications, data networking and internet technology.

URL: http://www.crosstouch.com/techtionary/index_in.html

Techtionary

• Target audience: college level students and advanced high school students.

• Discipline categories: information technology, computer applications, computer science, telecommunications & electronics.

Techtionary

Materials needed: computer/projector for display, individual computers for students, all with:

• Minimum 56K internet access

• Java enabled browser

• Sound card (optional)

Techtionary Activity

• Time requirements: One class period minimum 50 minutes

Learning Activity

Session One (15 mins.) – Introduction to TECHtionary•Instructor will make the URL available to the participants by demonstrating how to navigate to the site, enter the URL and access the site.•The instructor will demonstrate how the site works and how to search the site for the desired information.

Session Two (30 mins.) – Participants will access the site to become familiar with its operation.

• In individually or in small groups the participants will explore the site and find words/topics that are assigned by the instructor.

Learning Activity

Session Three (15 mins.) – Participants Share the definitions that they have found. •Individuals or a person designated from a group will present the topics• they have found and describe why they are significant.•Students provide lists of significant topics to the instructor for future use.

1. Research paper on a particular topic - Challenge the students to choose one of the significant areas of discussion within TECHtionary and develop it further.

2. Group activities -

- Design quizzes (see below) and present to the class. - Take a subject not covered in TECHtionary and develop a working (graphic) definition using appropriate programming methods.

3. Quizzes - Develop quizzes using pertinent areas of current discussion. Quizzes could be developed by students and used as a study tool. 4. Incorporating terms into presentation materials - I.E. student/class web pages, PowerPoint, online course tool projects.

Possible Assessments

Merlot.org

MERLOT (Multimedia Educational Resource for

Learning and Online Teaching)

• MERLOT is a community of people who are involved in education.

• FREE and OPEN nationwide resource

• Has a rating system that provides a way for users to rank

the effectiveness of the objects submitted.

• Easy to become a member.

http://www.merlot.org/Home.po

Maryland Faculty Online

http://www.Mdfaconline.edu

Links to Learning Objects

• Wisconsin Online Resource Center

http://www.wisc-online.com/Searchlink.asp

Merlot

http://www.merlot.org

Learning Objects Network

http://www.learningobjectsnetwork.com/

Learning Objects and Standards Resources

http://www.learnativity.com/standresources.html

Half-Baked Softwre. Hot Potatoes

http://web.uvic.ca/hrd/halfbaked