Proposition of pedagogical element in Learning Object metadata

• Main Authors: Yazrina , Yazrina, Mohammed, Yusoff
• Format: Article
• Subjects: LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education
• Online Access: http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/376/1/proposition.PDF; http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/376/

Learning object metadata (LOM) is a method used to identify and describe learning object behaviour, function and used. Metadata in particular is used specifically to assist in retrieving any forms of digital objects available on the network, as such the advance based searching used in most search engines is often referred to as metadata based searching or metadata retrieval method. As learning object (LO) is a form of digital object, evidently metadata is also recognised as the method used in accessing and retrieving LO. Therefore in achieving good search results, it is pre-eminent to determine the element details that would be beneficial to users. This leads to the importance of identifying specific metadata elements needed to describe learning object, in which IEEE LTSC had taken the initiative to establish the LOM standard. The IEEE LOM standard derived has 77 metadata elements distributed among nine categories. Although the standard is widely adopted among LO practitioners and researchers world wide, currently it is highly debated that the existing LOM standard is lack of contextual and pedagogical elements. Researchers argued that existing elements on IEEE LOM do not address all aspects of LO context and the elements are merely used as a means for discovering, sharing and reusing LO. Although measures have been taken by various research groups in the American and European region to include new metadata elements to address context and pedagogical issues, these are still insufficient as most are centred to be of service to a specific learning environment or to the patron organisation. This initiate the current work to provide more general based metadata elements as such context level is enhanced and pedagogical role is included in LOM elements. The determination of new metadata element that addresses context and pedagogical role involves identification of related theories, in which these are analysed thoroughly through comparison and adaptability aspects. As a result a new extended element is proposed and it is currently being used in MELOR (Malaysian Educational Learning Object Repository). It is belief that the element proposed is able to assist users in searching specific objects tailored to their needs and also add pedagogical and context values into LOM and LO specifically. (Authors' abstract)