Reflections on Metaphors for Learning Design

Abstract

This chapter positions discussion of learning designs within the broad context of reuse and repurpose. Within the topic of reuse, various terms and concepts have emerged such as Learning Objects, Open Educational Resources (OER), Reusable Learning Objects (RLO), Reusable Learning Activities, Repurposable Learning Objects, Generative Learning Objects (GLO) and Learning Designs. The chapter also compares two independently conceived longitudinal case studies on reuse: Sandra Wills and Chris Pegler. The Wills study contrasts reuse of learning designs with reuse of learning resources in order to shed light on issues for uptake of learning designs. The Pegler study concentrates on reusable learning resources and adopts the term Open Educational Resources. The widespread reuse of digital online resources in technically efficient ways has often been described as a Holy Grail within e-learning and is a key concept behind the Larnaca Declaration.