The impact of cultural issues on learning object design and development

1. The impact of cultural issues on learning object design and development Mei Qi, Tom Boyle, Yong Xue Learning Technology Research Institution London Metropolitan University

2. Introduction • Cultural diversity exists in education and e-learning • Quality of e-learning should be equal for all • Cultural perspective is demanded for reusable learning objects

3. Culture “…, is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, morals, law, custom and any other habits and capabilities acquired by man as a member of society”. ----- the first anthropological definition of culture by E. B. Tylor in 1871 “… is the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another” (Hofestede 1991).

4. Meaning of Learning object • A Learning object is an independent and self-standing unit of learning content that is predisposed to reuse in multiple instructional contexts. (Polsani 2003) • A Learning object is about pedagogy • A Learning object contains “micro-context”

5. A preliminary empirical study LOs of Java Programming Developed by LTRI Used directly Used after translation Beijing Union University – in Beijing, China London Metropolitan University – in London, UK

6. Translation of the learning objects from English to Chinese

7. Cultural diversity can be understood at different levels of learning objects • Pedagogical level – learning content, pedagogical pattern, teaching method, learning style, roles, etc. • Presentation level – language, navigation, layout of interface, etc. • Prerequisite level – infrastructure, learner attitude towards e-learning, computer skills and experience, etc.

8. Learning object design and development • Pedagogical design • Teaching and learning activity configuration • Implementation

9. The cultural influences on the design and development can be understood in a variety of levels Pedagogical Pattern Configure Teaching/ Learning Activity Pedagogical Design Cultural Influence Concrete Implementation Presentation Prerequisites

10. Culture-related variables affecting LOs design & development • Learning content • Instruction • Interaction • Illustration and exercise • Navigation • Language • Communication • Motivation and stimulation • Interface • Infrastructure • Personal needs and pre-knowledge

11. Generating LOs with cultural sensitivity • Meet the needs of learners who have different cultural background • Promote the quality of education for all learners equally • Enhance the reusability of LOs

12. Further work • Mapping the culturally-related variables to the design and development of learning objects • Using the generative learning object (GLO) authoring tool (developed by CETL) to realise the connection

13. Reference Hofstede Geert (1994) Cultures and Organizations, Intercultural Co-operation and its Importance for Survival, Software of Mind, McGraw-Hill International, UK Polsani P. R. (2003) Use and Abuse of Reusable Learning Objects, Journal of Digital Information, Volume 3 Issue 4, Tylor, Edward Burnett (1871) Primitive culture: researches into the development of mythology, philosophy, religion, art, and custom, London : Routledge/Thoemmes, 1994, vol. 2 LTRI website – http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/ltri/ CETL website -- http://www.rlo-cetl.ac.uk/index.htm