A flexible open source web platform to facilitate Learning Object evaluation

Systematic evaluation of Learning Objects is essential to make high quality Web-based education possible. For this reason, several educational repositories and e-Learning systems have developed their own evaluation models and tools. However, the differences of the context in which Learning Objects are produced and consumed suggest that no single evaluation model is sufficient for all scenarios. Besides, no much effort has been put in developing open tools to facilitate Learning Object evaluation and use the quality information for the benefit of end users. This paper presents LOEP, an open source web platform that aims to facilitate Learning Object evaluation in different scenarios and educational settings by supporting and integrating several evaluation models and quality metrics. The work exposed in this paper shows that LOEP is capable of providing Learning Object evaluation to e-Learning systems in an open, low cost, reliable and effective way. Possible scenarios where LOEP could be used to implement quality control policies and to enhance search engines are also described. Finally, we report the results of a survey conducted among reviewers that used LOEP, showing that they perceived LOEP as a powerful and easy to use tool for evaluating Learning Objects

Towards a Learning Object pedagogical quality metric based on the LORI evaluation model

Evaluating and measuring the pedagogical quality of Learning Objects is essential for achieving a successful web-based education. On one hand, teachers need some assurance of quality of the teaching resources before making them part of the curriculum. On the other hand, Learning Object Repositories need to include quality information into the ranking metrics used by the search engines in order to save users time when searching. For these reasons, several models such as LORI (Learning Object Review Instrument) have been proposed to evaluate Learning Object quality from a pedagogical perspective. However, no much effort has been put in defining and evaluating quality metrics based on those models. This paper proposes and evaluates a set of pedagogical quality metrics based on LORI. The work exposed in this paper shows that these metrics can be effectively and reliably used to provide quality-based sorting of search results. Besides, it strongly evidences that the evaluation of Learning Objects from a pedagogical perspective can notably enhance Learning Object search if suitable evaluations models and quality metrics are used. An evaluation of the LORI model is also described. Finally, all the presented metrics are compared and a discussion on their weaknesses and strengths is provided

Fatores que afetam o reuso de objetos de aprendizagem

Neste artigo são apresentados e discutidos fatores que afetam a possibilidade de reuso de objetos de aprendizagem. São analisados e comentadas a questão dos metadados, a granularidade e as funcionalidades da ferramenta de autoria eXelearning que possui facilidades para integrar e reusar objetos de aprendizagem

New MCEQLS fuzzy AHP methodology for evaluating learning repositories: a tool for technological development of economy

The paper aims to present a new methodology to evaluate the quality of features and functionality of learning object repositories (LORs). The quality of features and functionality of LORs is analysed in terms of engaging LOR users and content producers. Thus, it can be referred to as quality-in-use of LORs. This methodology consists of creation and consequent application of methods and the model for the quality-in-use of LORs. The model of the quality-in-use of LORs is presented in this paper. The methodology for evaluating the quality-in-use of LORs is based on the general MCEQLS (Multiple Criteria Evaluation of the Quality of Learning Software) approach to evaluate the quality of learning software. The essential part of the novel methodology is the application of improved Fuzzy AHP method to establish criteria weights of the quality-in-use of LORs. It is shown that the created methodology is suitable and stable for evaluating the quality of LOR features and its functionality. A more detail presentation is given on the results of the expert evaluation of the quality-in-use of three LORs that are most popular in Lithuania against the proposed methodology. The novelty of the presented research is achieved through the innovative instrument consisting of the model of the quality-in-use of LORs and the Fuzzy AHP method. The presented methodology could serve as a technological tool for decision making in education as well as in different areas of economy. First published online: 03 Nov 201

Towards a sustainable open educational resources development model : tapping into the cognitive surplus of student-generated content

Open Educational Resources (OER) have created opportunities for learners around the world. Previous research investigated different OER development models for higher educational institutions and other educational communities. However, maintaining sustainability remains the main challenge of OER projects, as there is a high demand on raising awareness of the value of OER in higher education, as well as the need for expanding a participation base in the OER development process and improving the quality of OER. As a response to these challenges, the research documented in this thesis presents a new OER development model that establishes communities of practices around OER in higher educational institutions, where the knowledge production that takes place inside classrooms provides sustainable resources for the OER development process. OER literature also shows initiatives on engaging students in the OER development process, however, there is a lack of rigor research that shows the principles of engaging students in this process. Hence, this study is focused on identifying the design principles of the sustainable OER development model that engages students in generating OER. The model was designed to establish communities of practice of students and teachers to work collaboratively in generating learning resources. In the context of computing and information technology studies for undergraduate learning environments, students generate a surplus of projects in different study units with some projects repurposed, however, a surplus of projects that are generated on every academic semester are rarely tapped into. This abundance of knowledge production is described as ‘cognitive surplus’ and tapping into it can maximise the value of these projects. Therefore, the proposed OER development model taps into the cognitive surplus of student-generated content, where instead of generating summaries and portfolios, students create learning resources based on the unit topics using content authoring software tools. In this model, teachers work as facilitators and co-creators, providing evaluation of learning resources in order to be published as OER. To engage students in generating learning resources for OER, the learning assessment approach was taken from assessing student projects on reproducing information to a new level where students engaged in structuring, designing, collecting and evaluating content for generating learning resources which was then shared online as OER. These activities maximised students’ responsibilities, because sharing work online motivated them to improve the quality of the learning content. To be able to design a new OER development model, there was a need to understand the characteristics of the learning environment, including students, teachers and the learning material. In addition, developing a pedagogically informed approach to adopt the OER development model in learning environments, which can help with improving students’ learning performance and advance the teaching practices through open educational practices (OEP), was also required.Therefore, to fulfil these requirements, this thesis elaborates on the literature review of the related areas of the OER development model and provides analysis of the emerging concepts and related theories. The thesis also presents and reflects on the stages of model development, refinements and evaluation over the lifetime of the study, and provides practical evidence on the potential sustainability of the model in real-life learning environments

Estrategias de reutilización de materiales educativos digitales por parte de instituciones de educación superior

173 Páginas.Este proyecto de maestría pretendió trabajar en la exploración, identificación y formulación de estrategias de reutilización de materiales educativos digitales en diversas instituciones de educación superior. El ejercicio investigativo se enfocó en dos grandes procesos. En el primero se realizó una revisión en extenso de literatura acerca de la reutilización como uno de los factores clave para el desarrollo de contenidos educativos digitales. Como resultado se indica que la comprensión de los diversos significados que se han asociado a este término resultan críticos de cara al manejo, producción y apropiación institucional de Materiales Educativos Digitales reutilizables u Objetos de Aprendizaje a los cuales, en adelante se harán referencia como parte de lo que se conoce como Recursos Educativos Abiertos. El segundo proceso se desarrolló a manera de trabajo de campo realizado sobre las diferentes prácticas de reutilización aplicadas por Instituciones de Educación Superior que poseen Banco de Objetos de Aprendizaje, buscando establecer la manera en que se están realizando modificaciones a los materiales educativos digitales que produce o usa cada Institución

Visualización de esquemas de representación de conocimiento para el acceso a recursos en repositorios digitales

El siguiente documento presenta los resultados de investigación realizados a partir de estudios enfocados en el desarrollo e implementación de interfaces de búsqueda de objetos de aprendizaje, a partir de técnicas de visualización sobre repositorios digitales. Actualmente existen una gran cantidad de recursos digitales sobre Internet, y el acceso a los mismos en gran medida dependen de las estrategias que puedan ofrecer motores de búsquedas convencionales, o soluciones especializadas que permitan su clasificación, gestión y administración, como es el caso de los repositorios digitales. Sin embargo, existen una serie de factores que influyen sobre el acceso a los mismos, partiendo de la definición de los metadatos, y las estrategias de búsqueda que se definan sobre grandes volúmenes de información. Una de las áreas de mayor aceptación a lo largo de los últimos años es la visualización de información, área de trabajo que facilita la presentación visual de información compleja haciendo uso adecuado de espacios y estructuras gráficas, con el fin de facilitar su rápida asimilación y comprensión. Por lo tanto, para los propósitos específicos de esta investigación, abordaremos el área de visualización de información mediante el uso de metodologías de evaluación y estrategias de diseño para el desarrollo e implementación de interfaces de búsquedas efectivas, para el acceso a colecciones de recursos digitales alojados en repositorios digitales. El propósito fundamental de esta investigación es ofrecer alternativas de acceso a partir de técnicas de visualización, para facilitar a creadores de repositorios digitales el análisis, desarrollo e implementación de interfaces de búsqueda visual