I have recently finished reorganizing the lecture portion of my Microbiology course (BIOL 230) so that the content is now presented as a series of several hundred nesting Learning Objects. Many of these are also reusable Learning Objects that can be used to review previous topics in the course or preview upcoming course topics. Each link you see in the Table of Contents for Lecture Units 1, 2, 3, and 4 represents one of these Learning Object and collectively these Learning Objects are nested together to form my course.

Background

The following background information is courtesy of Project Synergy, a MHEC grant project of MarylandOnline. The projects goal is to develop a repository of Web-accessible learning objects in discipline areas, prepare guided activities for their use, and train other faculty to use learning objects.

A Learning Object is basically a digital resource that is used as an element to support learning experiences.

• Learning Objects can range in size from a graphic or chart to an entire web site.
  
• Learning Objects can be composed of a number of smaller learning objects.

An Enhanced Learning Object is a Learning Object that includes learning assignments, lesson plans, or other instructions for use. These can be used as activity-sized or lesson-sized learning experiences.

When constructing Learning Objects, keep in mind that they should usually be:

• activity-sized -- large enough to be used as an activity within a lesson or module, or large enough to be a lesson by itself
  
• accessible -- easy to locate and use
  
• durable -- retain utility over a long period of time
  
• interoperable -- can be used on a variety of platforms or course management systems
  
• reusable -- can be used to create other learning activities within a given content area or other content areas

In constructing each of my Learning Objects I've tried to include:

• a list of learning objectives for that Learning Object that lets the learner know what he or she should be able to do after completing that Learning Object;
  
• illustrations, photographs, and/or animations to help the visual learner; and
  
• a self-assessment component.

For more information, you can see an on-line article I wote for the Fall 2002 edition of the Focus on Microbiology Education Newsletter published by the American Society for Microbiology. The title of the article is "Creating a Website of Reusable Learning Objects for Use in Teaching Microbiology Lecture to both Traditional and Web-Based Students" .