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Online Access to Educational Resources:
e-Learning Ontario
Julie Hannaford
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DefinitionsDefinitions
What is a Learning Object?- “a reusable digital educational resource”
What is a Learning Object Repository?- Stores educational resources and their associated metadata/catalogue records, so that they can be searched and found by end users
What is a Learning Object?- “a reusable digital educational resource”
What is a Learning Object Repository?- Stores educational resources and their associated metadata/catalogue records, so that they can be searched and found by end users
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The Provincial e-Learning StrategyThe Provincial e-Learning Strategy
Aim:•Provide school boards with e-learning options, including e-learning courses and educational resources
Objectives:• Increase graduation rates• Focus on literacy and numeracy skills•Provide more flexible learning environments for students•Provide more equitable access to resources for schools across the province
Aim:•Provide school boards with e-learning options, including e-learning courses and educational resources
Objectives:• Increase graduation rates• Focus on literacy and numeracy skills•Provide more flexible learning environments for students•Provide more equitable access to resources for schools across the province
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Teachers and Students Need Educational ResourcesTeachers and Students Need Educational Resources
Creating a collection of educational resources is a key component of the e-Learning Ontario strategy
Two parts:1. An online application that teachers can use to
contribute resources that they have created (Contributor’s Gateway)
2. A search interface so that teachers and students can find resources for their particular educational needs (Ontario Educational Resource Bank)
Creating a collection of educational resources is a key component of the e-Learning Ontario strategy
Two parts:1. An online application that teachers can use to
contribute resources that they have created (Contributor’s Gateway)
2. A search interface so that teachers and students can find resources for their particular educational needs (Ontario Educational Resource Bank)
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Modification of ResourcesModification of Resources
• In order to be most flexible, teachers need to have the ability to alter resources to meet their classroom needs • The contributors’ release form clearly explains to teachers that in sharing their resources they are granting permission for their resources to be downloaded and potentially modified• Teachers who alter resources are encouraged to contribute their modified versions into the Resource Bank
• In order to be most flexible, teachers need to have the ability to alter resources to meet their classroom needs • The contributors’ release form clearly explains to teachers that in sharing their resources they are granting permission for their resources to be downloaded and potentially modified• Teachers who alter resources are encouraged to contribute their modified versions into the Resource Bank
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Metadata ConsiderationsMetadata Considerations
What details are important to describe?•Audience, resource type, curriculum information, subject
What are other repositories using?• If we use the same standard, we may be able to share records across organizations
How efficient is the standard to use?•Need a standard that allows an acceptable level of description, without being too complex•Cancore (http://www.cancore.ca) selected as the most appropriate standard
What details are important to describe?•Audience, resource type, curriculum information, subject
What are other repositories using?• If we use the same standard, we may be able to share records across organizations
How efficient is the standard to use?•Need a standard that allows an acceptable level of description, without being too complex•Cancore (http://www.cancore.ca) selected as the most appropriate standard
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Two Metadata Standards Two Metadata Standards
IEEE-LOM (http://ltsc.ieee.org/wg12/)
• 76 elements – very detailed; also very complex• Lack of interoperability for some elements• Little documentation regarding element use
CanCore (http://www.cancore.ca)
• 46 elements – extraction of LOM elements considered to be most interoperable/useful•Extensive guidelines • In use in a number of Canadian projects
IEEE-LOM (http://ltsc.ieee.org/wg12/)
• 76 elements – very detailed; also very complex• Lack of interoperability for some elements• Little documentation regarding element use
CanCore (http://www.cancore.ca)
• 46 elements – extraction of LOM elements considered to be most interoperable/useful•Extensive guidelines • In use in a number of Canadian projects
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Adaptation of CanCoreAdaptation of CanCore
Sometimes local adaptations to metadata schemes are necessary• Use care not to make too many changes• Need to maintain goal of interoperability
Examples: • Intended End User Role – controlled vocabulary expanded so could describe ‘parent’• Learning Resource Type – vocabulary expanded• Added new fields to describe more detailed copyright information • Added two new fields for more pedagogical information: Learning Style and Teacher Learner Strategy
Sometimes local adaptations to metadata schemes are necessary• Use care not to make too many changes• Need to maintain goal of interoperability
Examples: • Intended End User Role – controlled vocabulary expanded so could describe ‘parent’• Learning Resource Type – vocabulary expanded• Added new fields to describe more detailed copyright information • Added two new fields for more pedagogical information: Learning Style and Teacher Learner Strategy
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Planning for the RepositoryPlanning for the Repository
Focus Groups Helped Determine Needs:Teachers and members of educational organizations were consulted
What Did They Say They Wanted?Resources that were connected to the curriculumInteractive resources that would engage learners
Focus Groups Helped Determine Needs:Teachers and members of educational organizations were consulted
What Did They Say They Wanted?Resources that were connected to the curriculumInteractive resources that would engage learners
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General Planning IssuesGeneral Planning Issues
Workflow: • Feedback sought from end users• Interfaces and templates changed in response to feedback to ensure maximum user friendliness
Training and End User Support: •Preparation of online glossaries, user documentation & manuals•Development of Captivate videos that demonstrate contributing the Gateway and searching the Resource Bank
Workflow: • Feedback sought from end users• Interfaces and templates changed in response to feedback to ensure maximum user friendliness
Training and End User Support: •Preparation of online glossaries, user documentation & manuals•Development of Captivate videos that demonstrate contributing the Gateway and searching the Resource Bank
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Results to DateResults to Date
• There are over 4000 educational resources in the resource bank for end user searching• Resources are available in a variety of formats: PDF, Flash, PowerPoint, • Have many lessons, activities and units, as well as stand-alone resources• There are many interactive resources that engage students and encourage learning• Ontario Educational Resource Bank announced by the Minister of Education: January 29, 2007
• There are over 4000 educational resources in the resource bank for end user searching• Resources are available in a variety of formats: PDF, Flash, PowerPoint, • Have many lessons, activities and units, as well as stand-alone resources• There are many interactive resources that engage students and encourage learning• Ontario Educational Resource Bank announced by the Minister of Education: January 29, 2007
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What Can You Do? What Can You Do?
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