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September 14, 2004
So what are Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) Anyway?
One of our main goals for this year is to come up with a working definition or two, or many... that we can use for Maricopa.
I think of RLOs as compact pieces of instruction that can be used to convey discrete learning objectives/principles. These pieces of instruction can be reused and added to.
Here is an example. I teach in the discipline of water resources. A key principle in this field is the Hydrologic (water) Cycle and a component of the hydrologic cycle is precipitation. I could create an RLO having to do with one type of precipitation - orographic precipitation (caused by uplift over a mountain - for those of you who are curious).
I could use this RLO with other RLOs on other types of precipitation, I could use it in lessons on the hydrologic cycle, surface water hydrology... the applications are endless. Additionally, other disciplines could use this RLO: geography, geology, meteorology, botany...
I also like that I could make the RLO available to students in higher level classes as a refresher/tutorial as well as to our campus learning center.
The R in RLO is also key. I do not have to be a computer genius and create all of my own RLOs. Others have been willing to create them with their expertise and share them. We will be exploring a number of these RLO clearinghouses and sharing them with you!
In the meantime, check out:
The District's own Maricopa Learning X-change (MLX):
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/index.php
Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning ad Online Teaching (MERLOT):
http://www.merlot.org/
Posted by lyoung at September 14, 2004 04:40 PM in category
General Info
