Start date: 1 March 2005
End date: 31 July 2006
Funding programme: Exchange for Learning (X4L) programme
Project website:
http://www.strath.ac.uk/projects/colossus
JISC theme(s): e-Learning
This project aims to produce 40 substantial learning objects, which will be further repurposed by project partners during the project, for use in social science subjects and deposit in JORUM. Resources to be repurposed include census data, materials from the National Archives and the JISC-funded EMOL collection. In addition, the project will analyse and evaluate the work processes involved to develop a workflow model to assist lectures in the extended use of learning objects in JORUM. Case studies will be developed and learner experiences evaluated.
The Project will engage with Social Science specialists to enable and encourage the wider adoption of blended and e-learning approaches through:
• identification and repurposing of learning objects appropriate to the new SQA HN Social Science framework
• adapt some of these objects for reuse with different qualifications and in different educational contexts
• analysis of the processes involved to develop a workflow model
Methodology
The COLOSSUS Project will develop 40 learning objects related to learning objectives of units comprising the revised Scottish Qualifications Authority HNC/D Social Science framework. These learning objects will be based on primary and original source materials found in publicly-funded content collections and the project outputs from previous related programmes. Therefore the Project will:
• Work with subject specialists to identify primary and source materials relevant to HN Social Science units.
• Repurpose the original and primary source materials to form learning objects that incorporate both source materials and learning activities
• Deposit materials in the JORUM repository
• Adapt the repurposed objects for reuse across a range of syllabuses
• Analyse current workflows within partner institutions for the creation of learning objects
• Re-engineer the workflows to promote transparency and efficiency
• Evaluate the effectiveness of workflow processes from the perspective of tutors/content specialists, support staff, technical staff, tutors deploying the materials, and learners accessing the materials and produce a recommended workflow model
• Develop and disseminate case studies of the adapted content development workflow to the JISC community
Important issues to be addressed
• Changes required in existing workflow processes and procedures to accommodate this type of production
• Sustainability of the workflow models
• Training requirements for staff involved in development and deployment
• Suitability of tools and JISC services to underpin production of content
• Reusability of repurposed learning objects across a range of syllabuses
• Suitability of X4L LOM metadata API to resource discovery in an FE environment
• Quantify the value of producing online learning objects versus traditional paper-based learning materials
Scope and boundaries of the work
The COLOSSUS Project will develop a collection of learning objects relevant to units within the SQA HN Social Science framework; it will not develop a complete course package for any of the units. There are currently national initiatives to develop materials for whole units and the COLOSSUS Project will coordinate with these to ensure that the learning objects developed are complementary to these course materials. Project partners will ensure that the objects created are relevant not only to the SQA HN Social Science framework but also for other similar qualifications such as foundation degrees and HN frameworks from other qualifications agencies.
Critical success factors
• The workflow process is efficient, cost-effective, easy to adopt and sustainable
• The learning objects work pedagogically, technically and cost effectively
• The workflow process and the learning objects have a positive impact on the support and delivery of learning
4 Project Outputs
• 40 learning objects for units within the SQA HN Social Science framework made available through JORUM Repository
• 4 case studies on the workflow process
• 5 case studies on the re-use of the learning objects within partner institutions
• Evaluation of workflow processes, peer review/quality assurance processes, and deployment process
• Documentation for each of the of workflow processes, peer review/quality assurance processes, and deployment process
• A learning object repurposing and re-use workflow process model with supporting use cases
• Evaluation of the learning objects; their effectiveness and value for money
• Evaluation of the suitability of the tools and JISC services used in this project
Project Outcomes
• New workflow processes and procedures that will promote efficient and cost-effective production, quality assurance and deployment of learning materials based on learning objects
• Dissemination and promotion of the new workflow processes and procedures throughout the JISC community
• Collaborative evaluation of partner institutions’ processes
• Dissemination of technical knowledge regarding the process and tools for repurposing materials
• Enhancement and dissemination of practical knowledge and understanding of standards-based online learning material production
• Expansion in the number and range of staff involved in online learning material production
• Increase the use of materials digitised in publicly-funded content collections and suitable project outputs from previous related programmes
• Increase the creation of standards-based learning materials
• Increase students’ engagement with primary and original source material
• Increase tutor and student engagement with electronic material, eg in a blended approach to learning and teaching
The COLOSSUS project was represented at the X4L Programme meeting in Birmingham in March 2005. The introductory presentation given at the meeting is appended to this page as a PowerPoint file.