e-Learning kit: Learning objects

Wiley defines learning objects as "any digital resource that can be reused to support learning" (2000, p7). With that in mind, you will find tools for creating videos, podcasts, graphics, presentations, timelines, and e-books.

Learning object repositories/databases

• PRIMO (Peer-Reviewed Instructional Materials Online Database)
• LIONTV: Library Information Literacy Online Network from Animated Tutorial Sharing Project (ANTS)
• S.O.S. for Information Literacy
• Merlot (California State University System)
• OER Commons
• ASU for You: Publicly accessible digital Repository learning materials
• CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments)

Videos

Various types of videos can be created: animated videos, interviews, screencasts, recordings of slide decks, recordings of live sessions, or live demonstrations, for example of students being guided through the research process. Consider universal design during video development, such as captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions.

• Camtasia: For recording, editing and producing videos ($).
  • Camtasia is supported at McGill
  • Tutorials are available from TechSmith. For example, I recommend How to make a video tutorial and this Sync with a script video.
• Other pay $ options: Adobe Captivate (commonly used), ViewletBuilder, Articulate Storyline (interactive learning objects).
• Jing: Basic tool for short videos.
• Guide on the Side (includes demos and examples)
• Screencasting options: Nimbus Screen Screenshot; Screencast-o-matic; QuickTime (comes installed on Mac).
  • Snagit
  • Creating a Lecture Video using Quicktime Player (video)
• OpenCast: Open source software for video capture and more.
• CamStudio: Open alternative to Camtasia for Windows OS.
• Video editing app: VideoPad

More tools and tips:

• Designing resilient video tutorials (MILNE Library)
• How to learn video production for free online
• Multimedia Literacy: Help with getting started on your multimedia project.

Podcasts

Here are some tools to produce scheduled audio podcasts. Video podcasts (vodcasts) can also be made with the video production tools above. The iTunes store has largest selection of podcasts but Google also now supports podcasts in the Google Play store for Android. There is also Juice free software for listening to podcasts.

• Make podcasts available beyond the browser via feeds that students can subscribe to.
  • What are feeds? Feed 101; Use Google FeedBurner to enhance feeds for iTunes.
• Edit audio files: Audacity, ardour, SoundCloud, Garageband (Mac, $)
  • McGill has a SoundCloud page.
• Apps: Voice Record Pro, WavePad Audio Editor Free
• Learn all about podcasting:
  • The Pulse: Podcasting 101: IHE e-learning audio podcast. This episode covers the history and how-to from a longtime podcaster, Rodney B. Murray, including recommendations for choosing a microphone, finding music, and hosting notes and files.
  • Podcasts Connect (podcasts on iTunes)

Graphics

• Canva: Online design program.
• Google Drawings: Create drawings in Google Drive by selecting NEW.
• GIMP image editor
• Piktochart: Create infographics.
• Photo editors:
  • Adobe Express
  • Photoshop Express Editor
• Graphic Design Tools (Tips and Trends from ACRL Instruction Section)

Presentations

Try these alternatives to PowerPoint and Keynote:

• Prezi: It is easy to overdue the zooming and induce slight nausea in your audience - proceed with caution.
  • Example of a presentation on Prezi: ​Would You Watch It? Creating Effective and Engaging Video Tutorials
• Animated presentations:
  • Scratch (from MIT)
  • Powtoon: Free options but can’t download video or remove icon from bottom corner.
    • Here is a Powtoon I created on concept mapping.
• Google Slides with Q&A: Create slides in Google Drive by selecting NEW. There are several themes to choose from.
  • Learn more about the interactive Q&A feature
• Sway: Interactive presentation tool supported at McGill, accessible through OneDrive as part of Office 365.
• CmapTools: Concept maps can be used as presentation tools, with links to resources.
  • Concept mapping McGill Library guide (with how-to-videos/PDFs and quiz)
  • See also mapping, under activities.
• emaze

Timelines

I have not explored timeline creations as student activities but if you have, kindly share your thoughts. These tools are often recommended (Storify is no longer available):

• TimelinesJS: Works with Google spreadsheets
• Timelines in Google Charts
• Preceden (they acquired Timeglider)

e-Books

There are many e-book convertors and extensions for word processing programs but here are a few options:

• OneNote: Create a digital notebook that can be shared with students. It can be integrated with an LMS (supported at McGill, accessible through OneDrive as part of Office 365). 
• Scalar: E-book authoring and publishing platform. Add and annotate media from multiple sources.
• CAST UDL Studio: Add text, audio, video, images, and animation to your books. Start from scratch or use a template. Also from CAST: CAST UDL Book Builder (preK-12).
• Wikibooks: For open-content textbooks.
• Book Creator One
• Sigil: A multi-platform EPUB ebook editor (think Word or LibreOffice but specific for EPUB ebooks).
• Calibre: Converts between formats including PDF, EPUB and MOBI (Kindle).

Bottom of the page bonus: Geniverse - get pumped learning about genetics (and dragons) before moving on to the gaming technologies.

See the full bibliography for works consulted.

Wiley, D. A. (2000). Connecting learning objects to instructional design theory: A definition, a metaphor, and a taxonomy. (Download) In: D. A. Wiley (Ed.), The Instructional Use of Learning Objects: Online Version.