Title: Patterns, designs and activities: unifying descriptions of learning structures

Authors: Patrick McAndrew, Peter Goodyear, James Dalziel

Addresses: Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK. ' CoCo, Faculty of Education and Social Work (A35), University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia. ' Macquarie E-Learning Centre of Excellence (MELCOE), Room 248, Building E6A, Macquarie University, Sydney NSW 2109, Australia

Abstract: In this paper, we examine emerging ways to describe and structure learning material, learning tasks and learning situations. In particular, we consider three different approaches, looking at common issues and differences in emphasis. These approaches are: learning patterns, inspired by the architectural patterns of Alexander; learning design, as described in the IMS Learning Design specification and which itself draws on Educational Modelling Language (EML) developed at The Open University of the Netherlands and learning activities as used in the Learning Activity Management System (LAMS).

Keywords: learning design; patterns; e-learning; learning activities; learning technology standards; reuse.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLT.2006.010632

International Journal of Learning Technology, 2006 Vol.2 No.2/3, pp.216 - 242

Published online: 09 Aug 2006 *

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