Learning Objects

It is very interesting to learn about learning objects as we close out the semester. I think learning objects would be okay even out of context for low order thinking skills that students need to learn. Such as learning how to create a table in MS Word, or learning how to add. I actually learning objects throughout the courses that I teach to HS students. I do not require the students to purchase a text book for my classes (the background is: I teach at an independent school; textbooks are not included in the tuition; most students end up paying an additional 500 - 600 $ per year to purchase books for their classes), so I have to find the information on the web for the different topics I teach. Since I teach computer-related courses, I have found the information I need widely on the web. So, without even knowing it, I use learning objects as the source for introducing material to my students. I also use Moodle as my course delivery system, so, having the students access the web for reading materials and other activities has not been a stretch. Even piece-mealing the objects together from different sites seems to work out well. Similar to lesson model presented in the Wiley paper, I simply break my course up into several deliverable tasks and find learning objects on the web that assist the students in completing the task. For instance in my digital video production class before I have the students go out and shoot with lights, I have them go through a learning object I found online that teaches about the importance of lighting. I also have them look at videos (from a different site) that shows them how to set up lights in a video production.
Because these tasks are "low order" I feel it is simple to integrate learning objects into a curriculum, especially because they are "decontextualized".

I remember case-based scenarios being a big deal when I was in corporate america. Using them seemed to be the calling card of the b-schools! The concept is appealing, though. Additionally, it's used daily by physicians and lawyers. In their industry, many "cases" they encounter are rare and they must refer back to prior experience to understand how to deal with them. I would go even further and say that the IT industry uses cases as well - especially if you are in the Tech Support field! Referring back to how a computer issue was resolved is the primary method for solving problems with computers and networks.