The Promise and Pitfalls of Learning Objects: Current Status of Digital Resource Collections (Companion Concurrent Session)

Abstract

This is a companion concurrent session to the featured session of the same title
Learning objects gleaned from digital repositories promise a new and intelligent way of creating learning environments within and outside the boundaries of the traditional course. Digital repositories of high quality learning objects offer educators great value in terms of saving time and money in course development, increasing the reusability of content, enhancing students' learning environment, and engaging faculty in a dynamic community of practice. The central goal of the session is to familiarize participants with the key issues involved in developing digital repositories so that they serve the goals of higher education. To accomplish this, the session will familiarize participants with learning object terminology and standards initiatives. Presenters will demonstrate several digital repositories, describe projects underway, and identify the challenges and research questions involved in this evolving field, including issues that arise when using learning objects distributed across many repositories.