Learning Objects

As evidenced by the postings in this blog, using computer software is a great way to engage learners and keep their attention span. As well as this, many different " Learning Objects" have been created using a variety of different computer programs and technology. " Learning Objects" offer realy life examples of knowledge students are learning and can be extremely beneficial when students are required to understand a practical concept.

While other interactive teaching tools such as powerpoint, movies and prezi presentations may keep a student's attention for a longer period of time, a " Learning object" differs in the fact that the student's are actively invovled with the learning object and affect many elements of the learning tool. Learning Objects offer the same amount of interaction as many games, and can even be designed in a way to promote the tool as being a game. THis can be seen on http://smartmoves.questacon.edu.au/csi.In this Learning object, student's are detectives that must use different tools and methods to discover forensic evidence in a crime scene. This can give the impression that students are playing a game, when really they are broadening their understanding of which methods to find forensic evidence is most appropriate. It is obvious that a learning manager who teachers Biology could use this tool to develop their student's knowledge. Similarly, many " Learning objects" have been created regarding the development of electical circuit, where students can build live circuits by the click of a mouse. THis would be particularly effective to develop younger science student's knowledge and understanding regarding electicity.

Interactive Learning Objects can be used regarding the principles of " Location and Access" and " Use of Information" regarding the "Big6" theory. Student's can find important information from interactive objects, while engaging with the information using a variety of sense (Hear, Sight, Touch). One student's have interacted with the information, they extract the relevant data and can move on to the process of refining and understanding that information.

Learning tools can be applied to any teaching content, which offer endless opportunities to incorparate this interactive technology into the classoom. By incorporating this technology into their class, teachers are allowing student's to be interactive and maintain focus on the content, as well as broadening their knowledge with visual examples reagarding the content they are learning.