Using digital content
What is digital content? | Key messages | Viewing a learning object | Supporting resources | Good news stories
What is digital content?
The Le@rning Federation (TLF) initiative develops two types of content – digital resources and learning objects.
Digital resources: A digital resource consists of a single item such as a section of video footage, an image (drawing, cartoon or photograph), or an audio file (song or broadcast). Each digital resource includes a brief description, a statement about its educational value, and acknowledgement of its source. Digital resources can be used in an infinite number of ways. Learners are encouraged to select and combine the most relevant digital resources to meet their needs.
Learning objects: In contrast, learning objects are interactive, multimedia curriculum content that includes a learning purpose.
Learning objects are particularly useful when a concept is hard to represent, difficult or dangerous to replicate, or when repetition is required.
To view the latest examples of digital resources and learning objects being developed by TLF, visit What’s new. This content is updated regularly.
For catalogues of resources by Learning area, please go to
http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/for_teachers/catalogues/catalogues.html
Key messages
Digital content is most effective when:
- embedded into an existing programme of learning
- supported by relevant offline experiences (before and after use)
- selected according to the needs and interests of the learner (informed by evidence)
- supported by effective teaching
- combined with other relevant digital content and learning experiences
- learners work collaboratively.
Here is a screen shot from 'The Part-Adder', one of the learning objects from the number series in Mathematics and Numeracy Project 1. 'The Part-Adder' is designed to help year 4–7 students understand how to break up numbers so they can calculate addition mentally. They are encouraged to use a range of strategies, including 'tens and ones', 'doubling', and 'compensation'.
To view this learning object go to:
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/digistore/protected/objects/?id=93&vers=1.0.
Please note: You will need a Digistore username and password to access this learning object. Go to the Registration page to see if your school has registered.
Once registered, you'll be able to search for content within the Digistore repository. You will need to install the required software to be able to view these learning objects. For further information about software, go to the Help section on this site.
A collection of units of work have been written for the nzmaths site linking learning objects to achievement objectives from the New Zealand Curriculum and to the stages of the Number Framework. These units provide structured guidance to help teachers integrate learning objects into their class programmes, both while working with their students and by encouraging students to use the learning objects independently. Suggestions for other activities relating to the ideas explored in the learning objects are also included.
Visit the nzmaths site to see some relevant learning objects in action.
The Ministry has collected several stories about how learning objects are being embedded into existing school programmes. Throughout 2005, several digital stories were developed. These stories are now available in PDF files for you to view and download. In addition, one of these stories has been published as a digital story.
Short Stories
Story 1: 'Part Adder' learning object (PDF 241KB)
Story 2: 'Sonic Home' learning object (PDF 107KB)
Story 3: 'Save the Lake' learning object (PDF 114KB)
Story 4: 'Rap Machine' learning object (PDF 281KB)
USING del.icio.us and LEARNING OBJECTS (PDF 443KB)
Digital Story
Story 1: 'Monster Choir' learning object
If you want to feedback on these stories and/or have a story to share please email, digistore@tki.org.nz