Learning Object Repository (LOR) Working Group

Background
A learning object is a digital item which can be referenced, used and reused for the purposes of supporting eLearning. They include things like electronic documents, images, audio and video recordings, blogs, wikis, quizzes etc.

In order to facilitate the sharing of such objects and move beyond systems which store them in an ad hoc manner, impeding their potential, a Learning Object Repository (LOR) can be used. It can provide a central storage point so that content can be shared on a large-scale; improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of teaching across the institution. At NTU, we have set up a LOR Working Group to investigate the effective use of the NTU Online Workspace, NOW, for storing and reusing learning objects of the type described above. It consists of an interdisciplinary team of academics and educational support staff whose core aims are to:

• Develop policy documents which inform how the LOR feature within NOW will be used within NTU.
• Develop guideline documents that provide clear guidance on good practice with respect to the use of LOR.

The LOR Working group is organised by Jon Tepper of the School of Science and Technology and will examine the organisational, cultural and legal issues involved in setting up NTU’s LOR as well as any technical issues for linking it to existing systems and external repositories such as JORUM.

For further information on the work of the LOR Working Group please see the following LOR Wiki page (NTU authentication required).

References

• Rehak, D. R. and Mason, R (2003) Keeping the learning in learning objects, in Littlejohn, A. (Ed.)
• Reusing online resources: a sustainable approach to eLearning. Kogan Page, London, (pp.22-30)