This document discusses supporting research methods students, especially distance learners, through interactive learning objects created in Xerte and integrated into the institutional learning management system (VLE). It recommends criteria for evaluating existing learning objects for appropriateness and outlines next steps like improving VLE integration, ensuring clear instructions, uploading objects to repositories, and developing additional high-quality interactive objects.

1. Finding and Making Xerte Learning
Objects for Research Methods
Dr Christine Davies
UWTSD

2. Research methods – some student
reactions?!

3. Supporting learners in research methods
• Students may be
unfamiliar with
terminology / charts etc
• Important to practice
• How best to support
the distance/ part-time/
work-based learner?
• How best to employ the
institutional VLE?

4. What’s already out there?
• What criteria should
be used to judge if fit
for purpose?
• Appropriate re. topic
& level
• Factually correct
• Engaging
• Interactive
• Bite-size
• accessible

5. Downloaded Xerte Learning Objects

6. ‘Home-grown’ Xerte Learning Objects

7. Xerte and Moodle

8. Evaluation to date

9. Next steps
• Iron out VLE integration/
display issues
• Ensure that instructions for
use are as clear as possible
• Upload to appropriate
repositories
• Develop further, better
learning objects
• Find further, better learning
objects!

10. Questions or comments?
Dr Christine Davies, UWTSD Carmarthen
Christine.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
01267 225148