The Educational Object Economy: Alternatives in Authoring and Aggregation of Educational Software

Abstract

The Educational Object Economy (EOE) emerged from research on end-user authoring tools for multimedia software and, by 1997, developed into a library of over 2000 freely available interactive simulations for learning. The organization's original goals and its ongoing interest in alternative methods of software authoring led to continuing connections with component-based software development and collaborative development models. Subsequent focus on learning resource development in developing countries has led to contributions to projects in India, Turkey, Brazil, and other countries. Although the need for learning resources in these and other countries is great, component-based approaches have not yet been adopted.