Background:

Developing high-quality learning resources is a perennial challenge for technology enhanced learning. The increasing emphasis on open educational resources (OERs) has added a requirement that these resources should be reusable and adaptable. There is a need for authoring support that is well grounded in pedagogical theory. The GLO Maker authoring tool was developed to meet these demands.

Description of approach:

GLO Maker produces generative learning objects (GLOs). These are multimedia learning resources focused on one clear objective that are designed to be reusable and adaptable. The ‘deep structure’ of pedagogical functions is represented in the ‘drag and drop’ Planner interface. The tool then automatically produces a default set of screen layouts that represent the surface structure for this design (these defaults can be overridden by the teacher/designer). Each layout organises a set of multimedia components, e.g. text, pictures, animations, audio and video; the assets are added using a simple interface. These ‘generative learning objects’ can be loaded back into GLO Maker by local tutors who wish to adapt the learning objects.

Structure of session and activities:

The structure of the session is a demonstration of GLO Maker with commentary. The demonstration will illustrate the main features of GLO Maker including: the reusable learning designs in the tool; using the drag and drop ‘Planner’ interface to plan or adapt a learning design, and using the ‘Designer’ to turn this into a working learning object. The demonstration will also illustrate how the output is delivered as XML driven Flash that can be delivered on the Web or an institutional VLE. The demonstration will be accompanied by a full commentary that explains both the features of the tool and the conceptual underpinnings for these features.

Intended outcomes for participants:

An appreciation of GLO Maker as a practical tool that they can use, and its conceptual underpinnings. The participants will be pointed to the extensive online support provided in the GLO Maker Website – www.glomaker.org/ and community Wiki – http://glomaker.wetpaint.com/.

Background:

Students now have extensive access to online resources. However, they often lack critical and informational skills required by formal education to selectively retrieve and use this online material. The JISC-funded Anytime Literacies Learning Environment (ALLE) project has developed resources to assist in developing these digital literacy skills (http://alle.tvu.ac.uk/), using the LLiDA Framework (www.academy.gcal.ac.uk/llida/) as a basis.

Description of approach:

ALLE provides flexible learning in the form of learner journeys; each comprises a series of learning objects which enables learners to develop their learning and literacy skills. Three journeys are available: The Academic Journey, the Library Journey, and the Digital Tools Journey (http://hermes.tvu.ac.uk/learnerjourney/index.html). Existing interactive, multimedia materials (Open Educational Resources) are combined with new learning objects created using the GLO Maker learning object authoring tool (www.glomaker.org). The learning objects are brought together in a cohesive and structured framework which provides a single access point to all the materials.

Structure of session and activities:

The session will outline the challenges these resources were developed to meet and how ALLE meets the challenges. The demonstration will show the three different ‘learner journeys’ and how the individual learning components are structured, yet linked within these journeys. The demonstration will illustrate components for selected digital literacy skills. It will then show how the components can be rapidly adapted (Boyle, 2009) by individual teachers to meet their particular curriculum and learner needs using the GLO Maker tool. This is particularly important in areas such as the Library Journey where tutors or librarians may want to adapt the resources to reflect the local situation.

Intended outcomes for participants:

Appreciation of the rich resources for digital literacy available from the ALLE project and how they can access embed and adapt the resources to support their own learners in personalised digital literacy acquisition, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.