A Wiki on Learning Object Repositories and Related Software.

This is a big improvement on the lists I have re-posted lately. -- BB

Learning Object Repository *Software*.

http://www.edtechpost.ca/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/EdTechPost/
LearningObjectRepositorySoftware

There's a lot of lists of learning object repositories around - to name but a few good ones, there's

• the database of repositories that the good folks at the ADL Co-Lab have recently released,
• Joe Hart's EduResource portal is fast becoming an authoritative resource on the topic
• and there's Patricia McGee's collection done as NLII work.

The problem, for me, with many of these lists is that these typically don't make any distinction between instances of existing repositories that are hosted by specific institutions or consortia ('collections' if you will) and repository software projects - software that one can download and install in one's own environment, and integrate with one's own systems if that's important to you.

Well it's important to me for a variety of reasons - within the context of the BCcampus lor project we are definitely looking for software that we will run and host in BC, and in the context of the Edutools team we are looking at doing some work that will allow people to do a comparative analysis of this kind of software.

So to that end, the above URL points to an evolving list of packages one might consider if you had to implement a learning object repository. A few final notes on this list and my approach:

• for the purposes of initially identifying as much as possible, I have included not only software that is specifically identified as LOR software, but also more commercial LCMS software, institutional repository software coming out of the library'archives world, and CMS software that implements either a repository or LCMS component
  
• I have not made a huge distinction between learning object metadata repositories and learning object content repositories though I recognize they are crucial differences.

It's a wiki page so feel free to add to it. It isn't exhaustive when it comes to LCMS or institutional repositories, but I think there are strong cases to be made that these are different beasts, and that while either can be made to fill the LOR role, there may be good reasons not to do this. - SWL

3:04:09 PM    

Using Yahoo Groups in eLearning.

Another great idea from James Farmer. -- BB

Group Journal: email lesson plan.

The beauty of email is that pretty much everyone knows how to use it so you can just get down and dirty :o)

This plan shows how you can use email to (hopefully) enhance your class dynamics... getting learners reflecting, empathising, organizing drinks and generally bonding as a group. All it takes is setting up a Yahoo Group and you're away.

This is a great one for those looking for quick, easy, tech-simple electronic enhancement of your course.

11:11:00 AM    

The e-Learning Value Chain.

(Was "Re-Post from elearnspace.")

First high-level look: 484 pages, organized around Michael Porter's value chain model. I like this already. Porter has become sort of passe' in some circles, but you can bet that most top business leaders will be very familiar with the concept (especially in technology companies). Personally, I believe this approach opens up a lot of possibilities for discussions on the strategic value of e-Learning, on valid approaches to evaluation and ROI, and to design. Quick scan of the chapters shows careful thought went into planning the book, possibly putting it into the "classic" category. Haven't read deeply yet, so don't hold me to that.

elearnspace provides a link to a 1.82M pdf from Athabasca University. Published under Creative Commons license, so it's "free." -- BB

Theory and Practice of Online Learning.

There is still much debate about the financial viability of releasing content under open source models. Opponents feel that it reduces the viability of an author/researcher to make a living from published work. Those in favour, argue that the author(s) will earn revenue from people who purchased the published work after reviewing the material (and of course, the increase in exposure by providing freely viewable/shareable material).

Here's an important experiment in the value of open source content (a quick skim of the book reveals a high-quality, well-researched resource): Theory and Practice of Online Learning"...is concerned with assisting providers of online education with useful tools to carry out the teaching and learning transactions online. It presents, in an easily readable form, the theory, administration, tools, and methods of designing and delivering learning online."

12:33:12 PM