Developing online learning material in the view of the Open Source movement (2004)

Developing online learning materials in the view of the Open Source movement Pierfranco Ravotto [email_address]

AIM of this presentation , To propose schools and teachers to co-operate producing Free Learning Object s in the view of integrating face-to-face learning and eLearning. Online learning is not a field of interest only for those who have been involved in distance learning. Learning Objects are essential not only to deliver learning contents in a sequential way, as it happens in courses aiming to the acquisition of a well-defined and focussed set of knowledge/competencies. On the contrary they are necessary also where the learning focus is on the development of critical thought, communication and problem solving skills .

Ideas coming from research … Leonardo-1995 Leonardo-1999 Leonardo-2001 … and from teaching experiences F2F teaching 1400 students Use of the Net as a support Blended learning experiences A Net of 14 schools

eLearning scenarios Individual Group Supported self-learning Self-learning Virtual class Collaborative learning

Materials & People relations M A T E R I A L S R E L A T I O N S Traditional ODL Full potential of the Internet Self-Learning Supported Self-Learning Virtual Class Collaborative Learning

Key Idea The Internet not merely a tool for Distance Learning BUT a New Learning Environment allowing a system of relations similar to the one of a traditional F2F dimension A different view of developing eLearning materials Importance given to the creation of an eLearning environment

A New Perspective Traditional Distance Learning Materials: Highly structured, self-consistent Pedagogical strategy is inside the materials New eLearning Environment Environment: Planned and developed according to the learning mode chosen Materials: Basic Learning Object among which the teacher can choose The choice of the pedagogical strategy is up to the teacher

TEACHER’s ROLE LEARNING MODEL TARGET (needs & features) INSTITUTION (aims & objectives) EXISTING MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY (LMS) work/learning ENVIRONMENT PLAN OF ACTIVITIES LEARNING MATERIALS TEACHER

A collection of Learning Objects Suitable to be used & re-used in different contexts with different targets with different technologies

Accessible

Adaptable

Affordable

Durable

Interoperable

Reusable

Kinds of LOs • Lessons • Interactive lessons • Tests & exercises with electronic feedback • Individual work • Project work • Design Time

How to prepare such a collection? We need a collection of Learning materials Impossible for a single teacher Very difficult for a school/a college/a university

Accessible

Adaptable

Affordable

Durable

Interoperable

Reusable

OpenSource: a tempting idea Accessibility to the source Free use (copyleft) People improve it people adapt it people fix bugs

Why not following the FOSS model? Schools and teachers can cooperate placing the Learning Objects developed at the others’ disposal so that the collection will be likely to boost and develop. people improve it people adapt it people fix bugs

OpenDida: an example

OpenDida: an example www.tes.mi.it/opendidaweb

Pierfranco Ravotto [email_address] www.tes.mi.it/pfr Developing online learning materials in the view of the Open Source movement