Transcript Research & Evaluation

openlearn and Jorum
Open Content Initiative: OpenLearn
• $9.9m two year programme
– supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
• Strands
– Academic
– Technical: Production
– Technical: Tools
– Research and Evaluation
Stages in open content field
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2.
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6.
Legal: release of copyright through creative commons
Practical: provide access to content
Technical: develop an environment for open access
Pedagogic: understand the designs that work
Economic: devise a model for sustainable operation
Transformative: change ways of working and learning
LearningSpace
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Log in or browse
Structure based on disciplines > subjects
Delivered as topics>units> activities
Mix of ‘web first’ and ‘web now’ content
Range of asset types and activities
Forums/learning journals
About 900 000 words at launch
About 1500 hours of study now
Learningspace PLUS
new content, versions, tools
Download, remix, upload
• XML format – now
• Moodle back-up – now (SCORM/ IMS – tbc)
Compendium: Knowledge Maps
• Integrated into the LabSpace
– Produces different maps to understand units
– Maps to represent the original structure
– Maps as a personal resource to keep track of
information and ideas
– Maps can be exported
– Maps can be linked and shared
MSG: Instant Messaging & Presence
• Integrated into the LabSpace
– Messaging (chat): fast, easy, ephemeral
– Presence (enabler): ‘who is online right now’
– Peer-group problem-solving
• MSG
– Simple – no download
– Automatic lists
– Supports location maps
FlashMeeting: video-conferencing
• Works with LabSpace
– User registration allows manage own bookings
– Automatic recording
– Associated with different areas
– Public replay if desired
http://ouseful.open.ac.uk/openlearndaily/
Researching open content
• Monitor use and understand stories
• Carry out trials and develop models
• Refine our research methods
– Cultural probes; Documentary evaluation; Activity
theory; Remote observation
• Research tools
– Webcam; Flashmeeting; Blogs; Podcasts;
Wikis; online questionnaires
• Action Research: all an experiment
Futures: Web 2.0 characteristics
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The Long Tail
Data is the Next Intel Inside
Users Add Value
Network Effects by Default
Some Rights Reserved
The Perpetual Beta
Cooperate, Don't Control
Software Above the Level of a Single Device
Tim O’Reilly (2005) What is Web 2.0?
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is-web-20.html
Activity analysis “OU”
Tools
Careful crafting
Specify devices
object
subject
(Learner/Educator)
rules
Copyright preserved
Everything planned
(Work with Open content)
community
Work with individuals
Target markets
division of labour
Custom solution
Closed data
Activity analysis “OpenLearn”
Tools
Perpetual beta
Across devices
object
subject
(Learner/Educator)
rules
Release rights
Cooperate don’t control
(Work with Open content)
community
Network effects
Long Tail
division of labour
Users add value
Data driven
Web 2.0 and OpenLearn
No.
O’Reilly’s advice
Impact on OpenLearn
1
The Long Tail:
Offer specialist subjects and consider everyone as a potential user
2
Data is the Next Intel Inside
Build on the quality assured content that we have.
3
Users Add Value
Allow users to contribute to increase the value of existing content by
participation in forums and journal, and by providing new content
in the LabSpace.
4
Network Effects by Default
Let users rank content easily and use highlight active areas to identify
what is working and where users are going.
5
Some Rights Reserved
Adopt Creative Commons and make clear that reuse is permitted and
encouraged.
6
The Perpetual Beta
Release new tools in the LabSpace while monitoring use and getting
feedback from users
7
Cooperate, Don't Control
Separate availability of sensemaking tools and look for new tools to
come in from the users.
8
Software Above the Level of
a Single Device
Use XML as the basis for our material and work on conversion to
accessible formats such as DAISY and to be viewable as print
and mobile.
OU Content Management System
Course 1
Course 3
Course 2
Workflow engine for OCI deposited units:
Unit 1
Unit 2
External, web access
OCI Content Management System
Internal
Workflow engines for course & OCI production:
version 1
version 1
version 2
Showcase
Unit 1
v1
Playspace
Unit 2
v1
Unit 1
v1
Unit 2
v1
Unit 2
v2
External educator
Structure
diagram
Technical
architectures
OU courses
Depository
Repository
Moodle
KMi Tools
Educators+
Moodle
Tested Tools
Learners+
labspace
learningspace
Technical
architectures
RSS
Moodle
XML
…
OU courses
Depository
Repository
Moodle
KMi Tools
Educators+
Moodle
Tested Tools
Learners+
labspace
User
content
learningspace
Rights issues
• Creative Commons: Attribution, Share Alike, Noncommercial
• Interpretation of “Non-commercial”
• Costs involved to clear 3rd party: not prohibitive
• Adopt a global and open position
• No login, no geographical restrictions
Materials/course development
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Models: Integrity to remix
Units from OU courses
XML to Moodle as main route within OU
Users can edit – but they rarely do
New formats: Moodle, zip, (RSS, SCORM, IMS CP, IMS
CC, IMS LD, DAISY)
• Separate OU CMS system (eRoom) to external (weak)
CMS (Moodle)
Cross-linkage between resources
• Units are integrated
• Interlinking avoided at unit level but allowed
• Compendium tool for relinking as a user
Issues
• Openlearn as a learning platform v
openlearn as a reuse platform
• Need for stronger versioning
• Multiple routes for reuse and formats
• Scope to prototype into new tools
• Retain and promote “Web 2.0” aspects
Patrick McAndrew
openlearn
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
www.open.ac.uk/openlearn