Collaboration on learning objects can be challenging in reality compared to expectations. A Codewitz project from 2001-2007 produced 198 learning objects but collaboration was difficult due to issues like funding, technology choices, design disagreements, and cultural differences between partners. The key lessons are that carefully selecting compatible partners, having the right funding, and ensuring people work towards shared goals are important for successful collaboration on educational projects.

2. Collaboration on learning objects –
Expectations and Reality
Esa Kujansuu
Tampere University of Applied Sciences
Finland

3. Codewitz Network
Since 2001
Only interactive
program code visualizations
& exercises
2 EU funded projects:
Codewitz-Minerva
2003 - 2006
Codewitz-Asialink 34 partners
2004 - 2007
198 Learning objects have been produced

4. Codewitz Learning Objects
Object Basic Strcutures
Program Algorithms
Advanced Structures
Embeddedvisualizations
Oriented Programming
Iteration Systems
code Logic
Exercises

5. Collaboration on visualizations
Production of interactive visualization LOs is
Making
Nice and
illustrations
productive Rewarding
A single Codewitz
LO required in
Needs a lot of average 14 days
time of work…
Challenging
A lot of work

6. Why not share the work
→ collaboration
Codewitz idealistic approach:
Deposit 1 LO – Get 10 LOs
Ok, I know you have nice
Great idea! LOs ready. Please deposit
Let’s do it! We’re (upload)!
Yes! in!
I get 10Less1,
for work!
Ok, but we need to
great! Those are only for
my course, not those first…
finish
Ok, next year I will for public
suitable
make one for public use…
But your LOs are great. use… I don’t have
I need to ask about etc.
Please just upload! funding…
I don’t really want Just too much work, etc.
copyright….
to publish those not enough time… …

7. Deposit 1LO – Get 10 LOs
(Unrealistic approach)
Results up today since 2001
Only network
REALITY coordinator has
Not a single LO
uploaded
without made non-
funding! funded deposits
“No funding
All other LOs
→ no LOs”
have been made
with EU funding!

8. Case: Technology to use
Shockwave Result:
Used technologies
Flash
Applet
FLASH
Which one to use?
SHOCKWAVE
Common decision:
Let’s use the best
technology available! APPLET
No common agreement was possible…

9. Case: Layout & Interactivity
GOAL: Students should have a uniform user-interface
The only possible agreements
were
Navigation in centre
Code on left Memory on right
RESULT: Great variation appears between LOs

10. Case: Techniques to be used
Original idea:
Visualization is step-by-step illustration
The idea was mostly followed
(excluding exercises)
But one partner decided to make instead
a digital book with Flash
Exceptions were mostly due to
content or technique
Despite numerous discussions with many
other partners the decision remained
This one partner always explained their students do not
need visualization or interactivity…

11. Case: Courses, modules or LOs
Should a project produce courses or
modules or stand-alone LOs?
The only option is to
Full courses, of
Naturally make stand-alone
course!
modules for a LOs!
teacher to
Anything else is
build courses! The teacher should
useless!
create the courses
with LOs!
All options have their dedicated supporters!

12. Remarks from projects
Collaboration is not There can be
always easy language problems
Consensus may not be There can be
possible cultural problems
Collaboration
Some ideas/designs
between different
may not work well with
projects is very
other ideas
difficult
A partner may not agree Too high expectations
with any other partner may fail easily
To get partners to work
Funding is
synchronized is almost
mandatory!
impossible

13. If you begin a project
Prepare for resistance from
University Colleagues Sponsor
Faculty Partners Students
If you have a great project idea...
...it doesn’t mean students or staff would like it!

14. Conclusions
The importance of
Carefully select the
Only challenges…
the partners/people
partners you begin to
can not be
work with!
It sounds like all you need is a
overemphasized!
miracle…
When you have the funding
When people work together
all you need is to get the
their work should be
people to work together for
integrated…
the same goal…
But with the right people
involved it is possible and it will important!
People are
When you have the
be worth the trouble!
right people all you
Not the famous
need is funding…
universities!

15. Don’t get it wrong
Share the work!
Find Partners!
Collaborate!

16. If you find a good partner who
…shares
your ideas
…agrees with
you technically
…has time
and resources
NEVER LOOSE TOUCH WITH SUCH PARTNER!

17. More information
www.codewitz.net
www.igualproject.org