About Wisc-Online
Wisc-Online is a digital library of Web-based learning resources called "learning
objects."
The digital library of objects has been developed primarily by faculty from the
Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) and produced by multimedia technicians
who create the learning objects for the online environment. At present, 335 WTCS
faculty members have authored learning objects.
The Wisc-Online digital library contains 2555 objects that are accessible to all
WTCS faculty at no cost and with copyright clearance for use in any WTCS classroom
or online application.
Learning objects are designed and developed by a team of instructional designers,
editors, technicians, and student interns.
Learning Objects Defined
- Learning objects are Web-based, self-contained, small chunks of learning.
- Learning objects are small enough to be embedded in a learning activity, lesson,
unit, or course.
- Learning objects are flexible, portable, and adaptable, and can be used in multiple
learning environments and across disciplines
A learning object is:
- The most basic building block of a lesson or activity
- Searchable
- Usable in any learning environment
- Able to be grouped or to stand alone
- Transportable from course to course and program to program
Types of Learning Objects include:
- Assessments
- Animations
- Simulations
- Case Studies
- Drill and Practice
- Templates
Why Learning Objects?
Learning increasingly takes place in diverse environments such as Web-based courses,
video courses, traditional classrooms, Web sites, and resource repositories. Learning
objects are adaptable and flexible in any place of learning.
Students have diverse backgrounds and knowledge. Learning objects can teach and
remediate, and offer many different kinds of media to match the styles and paces
of learners.
Learning objects add flexibility to the teaching and learning experience. Faculty
use learning objects when teaching a basic concept, applying concepts in "real world"
applications, checking and testing mastery, providing simulation, or giving remedial
instruction.
Learning Object Development
Learning objects are developed by faculty, for faculty, with the assistance of the
Wisc-Online development team.
- A faculty content builder identifies a topic that is difficult for learners to understand
or that presents challenges for instructional delivery.
- The instructor creates a content outline and script.
- The instructional designer adapts the content for multimedia and Web delivery.
- The technical developer builds the object.
- Reviewers and the editor evaluate the object.
- The content builder reviews and approves the final learning object to be posted.