Reusable Learning And Information Atoms Approach To Web-Based Education

Abstract

Traditional academic and training courses are built as large, monolithic structures that are (1) non-flexible, (2) difficult to repurpose into searchable self-paced objects, and (3) fixed in length, sequence, and scope. The traditional instructor-led model of learning does not address the need for similar knowledge and skills to be taught on self-paced, media-driven platforms such as Web-based learning and Web-based training. The innovative reusable learning objects (RLOs) approach addresses this problem. An online course that is built-on RLO strategy (1) is very flexible to timely updates, modifications, adaptation, and customization; (2) strongly supports competency-based, customized, personalized types of e-learning and e-training; and (3) gains a "value-add" that in most cases will pay off many times over (in terms of learning effectiveness, development time, costs, etc.). This research article attempts conceptually and systematically to describe a hierarchy and modularity (granularity) of learning sequences, learning activities and actions, RLOs and resuable learning atoms, and reusable information atoms. The premise is that later on those conceptual modular models can be formalized in the form of working programme models (e.g., agent-based models) and used by various Web-based education (WBE) systems, providing increased effectiveness and efficiency of both WBE-related instructional design, and teaching and learning processes.