JISC

The IMS Learning Design specification has renewed interest in ways to describe and share learning activities. We need to exploit the potential in Learning Design but also improve our understanding so that we can question the approach and consider alternatives. This project builds on the SLeD learning design player developed since 2004 through stages that combined software development with promotion, dissemination and research into the appropriate ways to use and represent design. We will now address the issues involved in taking the player away from original aims that resulted in a reference player used to explore learning design, into a system that can be used with real students and have a place in the framework for delivering a design for learning approach.

SLeD has already been used both with students (Liverpool Hope University) and to support staff development and awareness of Learning Design (UNFOLD) and this project is in a strong position to address immediate identified areas for improvement in a targeted and appropriate way.

Aims and Objectives

Produce a stable Learning Design player to:

• provide access to LD courses for students
• integrate with LDs produced by other projects
• offer a component within the design for learning framework

Project Methodology

The project has adopted three principles that will be used as a framework but then incorporate flexibility alongside other work in the programme. The principles are to:

• complete two development cycles
• draw on partner experience
• look for opportunities to work with other projects

The development work will be carried out through a four stage process:

1. Enhancement work based on experience (to Sep 06)
2. Student facing system at Liverpool Hope (to Dec 06)
3. Enhanced system with reuse at Liverpool Hope & open content based demonstrator (to May 07)
4. Integration within the design for learning programme (to Oct 07)

Deliverables

The project will produce the following deliverables:

1. Enhanced release of the SLeD learning design player and CopperCore LD Engine under open source. Current versions of the software are already available through open source release (sourceforge). New versions will be released to the community as available with a significant new releases planned for the end of stage 1 and end of stage 3.
2. Evaluated use of the learning design tools within Liverpool Hope University. The units of learning produced for this will be available as open content and provided to any database established by the programme.
3. Report on the impact of the software on design for learning and its relation to the pedagogic planner and other strands of work within the programme.

Stakeholders

This project should be of interest to developers working on service oriented architectures or learning design; teachers looking at ways to represent and share designs; and, those planning future learning environments. 

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