Through efficient use of LORs: Prospective teachers' views on operational aspects of learning object repositories

• Published in: British journal of educational technology Vol. 43; no. 3; pp. 474 - 488
• Main Authors: Yalcinalp, Serpil, Emiroglu, Bulent
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.2012; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Computer System Design; Computer Uses in Education; Dynamical systems; Dynamics; Education; Educational Resources; Educational Strategies; Educational Technology; Electronic Libraries; Foreign Countries; Internet; Learning; Lists; Object repository; Open Ended Questions; Perception; Preservice Teacher Education; Preservice Teachers; Qualitative Research; Repositories; Research Methodology; Secondary Education; Statistical Analysis; Student Attitudes; Teachers; Turkey; Turkey
• ISSN: 0007-1013; 1467-8535
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8535.2011.01212.x

Although many developments have been made in the design and development of learning object repositories (LORs), the efficient use of such systems is still questionable. Without realising the functional use of such systems or considering the involvement of their dynamic users, these systems would probably become obsolete. This study includes both qualitative and quantitative research methods for the investigation of prospective teachers' views on the operational aspects of such tools. The participants in this study were 75 prospective teachers that were participating in the graduate certification programme for secondary school subject teachers at Baskent University in Turkey. To realise the objectives of this study, prospective teachers were required to use the 17 of the existing LORs in their course. Analysis was also conducted on those LORs identified by the researchers. Afterwards, teachers were asked to answer an open‐ended question in paper and pencil form. Through qualitative analysis, the responses of teachers were coded and presented in a table. The results of this analysis revealed many interesting points regarding teachers' thoughts on the main factors in repositories and are expected to guide the designers, developers and users of LORs to focus on the main issues related to the improvement of functionality and efficiency of such systems. Practitioner Notes What is already known about this topic •  Role of learning objects (LOs) in education. •  Knowledge on general features of well‐known learning object repositories (LORs). •  Analysis of the existing LORs in terms of their structural and operational features. What this paper adds •  A useful insight into educators' perceptions of LOs and LORs. •  Analysis of user requirements such as teachers' needs in LORs. •  Identification of the 17 LORs along with their features from which the reader may benefit and the knowledge of additional few such systems as the Turkish Repositories. Implications for practice and/or policy •  Considerations of structural factors in designing LORs reflecting prospective teachers' requirements such as the use of ontologies and Semantic Webs. •  Considerations of usability factors in designing LORs reflecting the prospective teachers' requirements. •  Suggestions for considerations of the critical issues in the development and use of LORs such as the needs to be taken into care within the scope of the Open Educational Resources movement.