Health Disciplines’ Learning Objects Project

Rationale: A Learning Object (LO) Repository is a searchable database of electronic learning resources that can be accessed and integrated into components of a curriculum. Motivation for this type of repository is the reuse and repurpose of educational materials. In the Health Disciplines, many educational materials are available electronically to students via WebCT course sites, web sites, and other electronic media (CD ROMs). Based on related activities in the Division of Educational Support and Development (DESD), we experience a low rate of reuse among LO owners (faculty, instructors, staff and students) and when it does occur, the workflow process is cumbersome and inefficient. Moreover, linkages between LO owners are not formalized throughout the Health Disciplines and limited across campus. Access and utilization of existing educational materials can be facilitated through the availability of learning object repositories and a comprehensive awareness and orientation program.

Health Discipline faculty (clinical and basic sciences), students and staff are accustomed to specific vocabulary and standards for electronic resources. Because of this and the nature of health sciences content, LO discussions around language use and standard setting issues must take into consideration: Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and basic sciences vocabulary; Health Level Seven (HL7) standards; and IMS (Instructional Management Systems) standards (including SGML and XML languages). An essential component of this project, therefore, is a thorough consultation process with faculty, students and staff in the Health Disciplines, Information Specialists from the UBC Library system and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. Standards; and LO project leaders from the UBC Central LO Repository Project.

Objectives: Through a consultative process, the Health Disciplines’ Learning Objects (LOs) Project will:

1. Establish standards, processes and vocabulary specific to Health Disciplines for storing, cataloguing, and using LOs.
2. Create or customize a repository for storing, cataloguing, searching and utilizing LOs.
3. Metatag and store a large selection of existing health sciences electronic resources.
4. Promote, encourage, and orient users to integrate LOs into course materials.
5. Integrate workflow with other UBC learning object initiatives included the UBC Central Repository and the U21 LRC.

Charlene Walsh, Educational Support and Development, College of Health Disciplines
Stan Shaw, Faculty of Medicine
Jennifer Smyth, College of Health Disciplines
Kathryn Hornby, Woodward Biomedical Library
Erin Creak, Student, Library, Archival and Information Studies
Brian Lamb, Office of Learning Technology