PROS AND CONS OF LEARNING OBJECTS

Introduction

All About Learning Objects

  • Approaches to Content
  • Interoperability and Rusability
  • Reusable Learning Objects
  • Metadata

Table of Pros and Cons

SCORM Concepts

  • Parts of the System
  • Content Aggregation
  • Communicating with Content

Where to Learn More

  • Links
  • Standards Organizations
  • Articles
  • Copyright notice
  • Credits

  PROS CONS
Production Costs By properly breaking content into learning objects, different parts can be maintained and updated separately. If a suitable learning object can be found, a new one does not need to be created. These are costs savers. Changing to a learning object approach from a "self-contained system" approach involves retooling and retraining costs.
Flexibility As more and more standards-based learning objects become available, increased choice will translate into more flexibility for designers. Using standards-based learning objects restricts the scope of learner information that is accessible by content if total interoperability is maintained*.
Pedagogy Learning objects fit nicely into many ISD theories. Instructional templates can be created with slots for specific types of learning objects. Learning objects may encourage designers to operate in more disciplined ways with a positive effect. Restrictions on learner information available could restrict pedagogical approaches. Approaches using lengthy discursive material may not benefit from the use of learning objects.
End User Cost The learning object approach prevents consumers from being locked in to specific systems. As standards take hold, the market for content will take on more of the properties of a typical consumer market with lower costs and increased choice. The cost of converting existing content to a learning object approach may be significant
Industry Support All leading system vendors and content producers are supporting SCORM and other standards that are based on or that complement a learning object approach. Realistically, it is twelve to eighteen months between the time the vendor community adopts an approach and the time products that implement the approach are available.

*Individual systems can use more than the standard learner information, but only at the cost of interoperability with other systems. Over time, more learner information will become standard.

Introduction | All About Learning Objects | Table of Pros & Cons | SCORM Concepts | Where to Learn More