Learning object repository

Definition

• A learning object repository enables educators to share, manage and use educational resources. A more narrow definition would also require that repositories implement a metadata standard

• A Learning Object Repository is storing content/assets/resources as well as their metadata record. ( EdTechPost Glossary )

See also:

• learning objects repositories (A list of such repositories)
• LCMS (learning content management systems, usually include a repository).

Standards

• Learning object repositories rely firstly on metadata standards such as Dublin Core or the IMS/IEEE Learning Object Metadata Standard (LOM).

• Usually such repositories a programmed as web application (webserver, database and scripting language) such as the LAMP combo. There are also initiatives to standardize web services associated with a server.

Discussion

See also the learning object article. Basically there are two main problems:

• It is difficult to de-contextualize / re-contextualize knowledge. If the chunk is too big it can't be adapted to specialized / local needs, if it's too small it will not really be a reusable learning/teaching object on its own.
• People hate filling in repositories and the only way to get there is either pay someone or force everyone. But the situation can be eased with very good tools that "prefill" contents according to the profile of the person that made or uses a resource. See: Cancore's Learning Object Metadata Editors

Software to build your own

Repositories

• DSPACE (actually a dublin-core based document repository, but can also be used for learning objects)

Metadata editors

• Cancore's Learning Object Metadata Editors (editors for Metadata)

• The Reload project offers Relod editor, a IMS/SCORM compatible Medata and Content Packaging editor.

Links

• See learning objects repostitories for a list of links to repositories