Developing Teaching and Learning Resources

Formal learning and teaching repositories may be called 'Learning Object repositories (LORs)'. The Community Dimensions of Learning Object Repositories CD LOR study (2007) usefully describes a Learning Object (LO) and LORs

The term 'Learning Object' has come to represent the concept of a highly granular digital resource developed to meet a single learning objective. Such LO's may be aggregated to form larger units, and may be incorporated into a range of learning activities, be they entirely online, within blended learning, or classroom based. Key to the idea of LOs is that they should be durable, interoperable, reusable and shareable. Learning Object (LO) Repositories have emerged in recent years to support the storage, management, sharing and reuse of teaching and learning resources within and across learning communities.

The format of learning and teaching materials can shape the resulting repository models and the concept of 'packaged' learning objects is still a current and valid model. There is also a recognition that 'unpackaged' materials are equally useful (and may even be much easier to re-purpose and re-use). There is an ongoing debate around granularity of learning materials and how far the pedagogic context should be integrated into resources, or wrapped around it (pedagogic wrappers).The model that supports multiple formats and multiple approaches to deposit is likely to be less about changing the repository structure or format, and more about ensuring integrated services around repositories and less formal stores of learning materials.

The increasing recognition that content created by students during learning activities could be included in repositories is likely to raise significant issues around ownership and management. Student access to institutional, national and other repositories is also likely to shape repository models. Repositories will need to be flexible and responsive to respond to these changing drivers.

One of the challenges for any repository of learning and teaching materials is the management of version control due to the very significant driver of changing knowledge practices. Repositories are often seen as a place to store and preserve content in a static way, but many subject disciplines have to constantly update learning content. Medical education is an area where the importance of this is clear - changes in treatment practice must be reflected in teaching materials and storing 'out of date' materials may prove dangerous.