« Trying Out ecto | Main | So what are Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) Anyway? »
September 11, 2004
Reviewing Learning Objects
I was asked to review a number of Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) having to do with audio engineering by Thom Cochrane of Unitec New Zealand - a university in Auckland. His website has 4 RLOs that run using QuickTime. The RLOs have to do with subjects of (1) Interactive Mixer, (2)Drum Microphone chooser, (3) Parametric EQ, and (4) Dynamics. They can be found at
Read on to find out what I thought about these RLOs...
...I was a little concerned in respect to my background knowledge of audio engineering, which is little to none, and how I would be able to evaluate and interact with the RLOs.
Of the four RLO's I was only able to access three. The first one that I accessed was the Interactive Mixer. It was fantastic. I was able to manipulate the music by using the different features of the virtual mixer. I really enjoyed using it - I found it to be fun - it was extremely interactive - I could turn the nobs and slide the bars and hear the difference that it made. I could also imagine the possibilities for use of this RLO to demonstrate musical principles in an audio engineering class.
The next RLO that I looked at was the Drum Microphone Chooser. This was very interesting. It had images of various microphones and allowed me to look at them, and determine the characteristics of each. The only problem that I had was that all of the tools were not available to me so I was not able to hear the differences which would have really driven the lesson home. It was very interactive and I think it could be used in many different levels of classes and used to instruct multiple objectives.
The last RLO that I looked at was the Dynamics. This RLO was not as interactive as the others but was very useful in providing me with knowledge about dynamics, compressors and the characteristics of them. It was very informative. The only drawback was that after Ihad intacted with the other RLOs I was trying to turn knobs to test the equipment but this was not a feature of this object.
I am very interested to learn more about how this RLO would be used in the classroom, how it would be introduced and assessed. There are some definitions of RLOs that specify that assessment must be included. I, personally, prefer a definition that allows the RLOs to be used as needed without the constraints of a standard assessment piece.
Thom provided some definitions that you may find useful:
Learning Object: “Any digital resource that can be reused to support learning. The term "learning objects" generally applies to educational materials designed and created in small chunks for the purpose of maximizing the number of learning situations in which the resource can be utilized.” (Wiley, 2002)
Reusability: The ability to use a learning object within different learning contexts.
Pedagogy: “the activities of educating or instructing or teaching ;activities that impart knowledge or skill” (HyperDictionary, 2003)
Finally, Thom created an excellent RLO review sheet that you may want to investigate. It can be found at the website indicated above.
Happy Explorations!!
Posted by lyoung at September 11, 2004 04:20 PM in category
Resources
| TrackBack
