Bill Olivier

The Learning Design Specification

The use of general languages such as HTML or proprietary scripting languages to describe learning processes leads to unnecessary difficulty in documenting teaching strategies and reusing elements of existing teaching materials.

The representation of learning design of units of learning

Discussione di IMS-LD, una specifica sviluppato appositamente per modellare attivita’ e ruoli nei processi di apprendimento. Il contributo descrive in particolare l’artefatto frutto della progettazione IMS-LD, ossia il Unit of Learning (UOL).

Collaboration in Learning Design Using Peer-to-Peer Technologies

Recent trends suggest that P2P technologies have the potential to change the way learning systems operate from the current highly centralized environments toward a blended environment that allows for nomadic and intermittently connected learners on the edge of the network. Current elearning community efforts to develop standards for interoperability to support meaningful, authentic learning activities suggest that it is now possible to exploit P2P in the instructional technology toolset. While P2P holds much promise, there are a few challenges that must be overcome before its true potential can be realised. This chapter provides a first overview of the implications of combining P2P technologies and LD with a view towards decentralising e-learning.

Applying cybernetic thinking to becoming a learning organization

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a case study of the application of cybernetic thinking by the learning and development unit in a national branch of a large multinational company to help move towards its strategic objective of becoming a learning organization. Design/methodology/approach – A work-based action research approach was adopted. Through a series of action research cycles, the paper presents the interplay between developments in the organization and several strands of cybernetic thinking. Findings – Cybernetic thinking was incrementally integrated to create a new support framework for developing a learning organization. Research limitations/implications – As a case study the work reported has limited generality. Users of the support framework need to take account of and, to some degree, replicate the specific conditions that led to its success. These included the strategic aim of becoming a learning organization and supportive senior management. Practical implications – The case...