Title: Scenario-oriented reusable learning object characterisations

Authors: Miguel-Angel Sicilia, Miltiadis D. Lytras

Addresses: Computer Science Department, University of Alcala, Ctra. Barcelona, Km. 33.6 – 28871 Alcala de Henares (Madrid), Spain. ' Department of Management Science and Technology, ELTRUN – The Research Center, Athens University of Economics and Business, 47A Evelpidon Str., 113 62 Athens, Greece

Abstract: The definition of |learning object| is still subject to debate and controversy, causing some degree of ambiguity. Proposed definitions differ in terms of broadness of scope, focus on reusability and requirements on metadata, among other characteristics. Nonetheless, if we approach the definition from the narrower perspective of engineering software systems that deal with learning objects, they can be characterised by the scenarios they are capable of engaging in or by the services for which they provide support. This connects the concept of metadata quality with a situation-specific definition of learning objects. Consequently, a resource may be considered – from the automation perspective – as a valid learning object in a given scenario, while in others it should be discarded due to the lack of certain characteristics. Since automated processes and Web services can be unambiguously specified, this definition enables the specification of conformance profiles with precise and specific requirements on learning objects.

Keywords: reusable learning objects; learning management systems; scenarios; metadata quality; conformance profiles; reusability; web resources; web services; learning technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKL.2005.008355

International Journal of Knowledge and Learning, 2005 Vol.1 No.4, pp.332 - 341

Published online: 07 Dec 2005 *

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