What are learning objects?

One of the most popular definitions of Learning Object is outlined by Dr. David Wiley, “any entity, digital or non-digital, which can be used, re-used or referenced during technology supported learning are learning objects.” (LTSC of IMS: Wiley, Connecting LO’s p4) Learning Object (LO) is a standards-compliant piece of eLearning, with an explicit objective and built-in assessment. Learning objects are usually stored in a content management system (CMS) for just-in-time learning across any number of contexts. It is the future of learning, a revolution in education.

Examples of Learning Objects include instructional content, multimedia content, learning objectives, instructional software and tools. The broader meaning to the term can be persons, organizations, or events referenced during technology supported learning.

Learning Object is a very familiar term to educators now days. There has been an increasing amount of learning objects being created and released to the online education communities across the world. Varies of standard are being established and multiple repositories are developed for them.