Abstract
This paper looks at how the concept of reusability has gained currency in e-learning. Initial attention was focused on reuse of content, but recently attention has focused on reusable software tools and reusable activity structures. The former has led to the proposal of service-oriented architectures, and the latter has seen the development of the Learning Design specification. The authors suggest that there is a mutual dependency between the success of these two approaches, as complex Learning Designs require the ability to call on a range of tools, while remaining technology neutral. The paper describes a project at the UK Open University, SLeD, which sought to develop a Learning Design player that would utilise the service-oriented approach. This acted both as a means of exploring some of the issues implicit within both approaches and also provided a practical tool. The SLeD system was successfully implemented in a different university, Liverpool Hope, demonstrating some of the principles of reuse.
Highlights
Over recent years there has been a considerable push towards reuse and interoperability, both within the educational sector and in terms of broader data exchange
The JISC framework (Wilson et al, 2004) outlines the benefits and approach for adopting a service-oriented architecture, which can be seen as a means of viewing the integration of systems: When we embark on this kind of analysis, identifying the parts of the MLE (Managed Learning Environment) at a more granular level than monolithic systems, we eventually end up with a framework of service descriptions
It was argued that in order for Learning Design to be successful in its aim of reusing activity structures, the development of generic service descriptions was necessary
Summary
How to cite: McAndrew, Patrick; Weller, Martin and Barret-Baxendale, Mark (2006). Learning Design and Service Oriented Architectures:a mutual dependency? For guidance on citations see FAQs. Version: [not recorded] Link(s) to article on publisher’s website: http://www.jld.qut.edu.au/. Copyright and Moral Rights for the articles on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. For more information on Open Research Online’s data policy on reuse of materials please consult the policies page
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
