A Generic Framework for the Development of Standardised Learning Objects within the Discipline of Construction Management

Figures & data

Figure 1 The concept of sharable learning objects

Figure 2 E-Learning standards

Figure 3 Conceptual framework

Figure 4 Methodological framework for developing the online learning objects repository

Table 1 Most relevant metadata elements identified by a pilot survey

Metadata Elements	Definition
Title (M)	Name given to the learning object
Language (M)	The primary human language or languages used within this learning object
Description (M)	A textual description of the content of this learning object
Object Type (M)	The type of Learning Object
Keywords (O)	Keywords or phrases describing this learning object
Version (O)	The edition of this learning object
Contributor Name (M)	The entities i.e. people, organisation that have contributed to the state of this learning object during its life cycle
Contributor Role (M)	The role of the contributor
Date (M)	The date of the contribution
Format (M)	Technical data type(s) of the learning object
Location (M)	A string that is used to access this learning object
Level (O)	The educational level of this learning object

Table 2 Identified construction domains and related entities

Construction Domain	Related Entities
Architectural Design	Building Architecture
Construction Management	Risk Management, Real Estate Management, Performance Management, Knowledge Management, Project Management, Construction Economics, Organisational Management, Supply Chain Management
Facilities Management	Inclusive Design, Accessibility
Construction Law	Environmental Law, Law and Procurement, Property Law
Quantity Surveying	Costing & Estimating
Building Surveying	Building Services
Construction Health & Safety	Personnel Health & Safety
Construction Information Technology	IT Optimisation, Modelling, Simulation, Visualisation Techniques

Table 3 Pedagogical metadata

Pedagogical Metadata	Description
Learning Outcomes	Expressed in terms of what the learners will be able to do once they have studied the content of a particular object
Pre-requisites	Prior knowledge needed to learn existing content
Learning Objectives	Defines what the object seeks to achieve
Learning Styles	Variety of content to match learners’ needs

Table 4 Responses for pedagogical elements

Pedagogical Elements	Reponses	Frequency	Integrating Metadata
Learning Outcomes	Important	83%	M
Prerequisites	Relevant	65%	O
Learning Objectives	Not important	77%	O
Learning Styles	Important	67%	M

Table 5 Proposed learning styles metadata

Learning Style Metadata	Explanation
Verbaliser	To suit those who learn best from abstract concepts
Imager	To suit those who learn best from visual content

Table 6 Comparison between UK LOM and RDN/LTSN learning object types

IEEE LOM Resource Types	RDN/LTSN Resource Types
Exercise	Course/Module/Unit/Programme
Simulation	Resource Pack
Questionnaire	Case Study
Diagram	Activity/Exercise/Fieldwork
Figure	Activity/Exercise/Fieldwork Notes
Graph	Project Outline
Index	Simulation Model
Slide	Study Guide
Table	Examination/Test
Narrative Text	Question Bank
Exam	Assessment Item
Experiment	Lecture Presentation
Problem Statement	Glossary
Self Assessment	Course/Lecture/Presentation Notes
Lecture	Worked Example
	Textbook
	Demonstration
	Computer-based Tutorial
	Reading List
	Teaching Tip/Curriculum Syllabus
	Educator Guide/Evaluation Form
	Educational Policy/Educational Report
	Lesson Plan

Table 7 Learning objects and their media

Object Types	Media Types
Article	● ^
Case Study	● ^
Demonstration	■ ○ ● *
Examination	●
Glossary	●
Journal Paper	● ^
Lecture Notes	● ^
Lecture Presentation	■ ○ ● ^ *
Model Answer	●
Question Bank	● ^
Report	● ^
Simulation	■ ○ ● *
Textbook	● ^
Tutorial	● ^ *

Figure 5 Proposed metadata for construction education learning objects

Figure 6 Programme structure

Figure 7a Integration of learning object types

Figure 7b Integration of Learning Styles

Figure 7c Integration of Programme Structure

Figure 7d Screenshot of the interface demonstrating construction metadata

Table 8 Example metadata

Metadata elements	Example
Title (M)	Bar Charts
Language (M)	English
Description (M)	An example of Bar Charts used for project planning.
Object Type (M)	Demonstration
Keywords (O)	Bar Chart, planning methods, planning techniques
Version (O)	1.0
Contributor Role (M)	None
Creator (M)	R.McCaffer and F.Harris
Date (M)	21/03/2006
Format (M)	PP Presentation
Location (M)	http://elearning.sobe.salford.ac.uk/learningobjects/barchart.ppt
Construction Domain	Construction Management

Figure 7e Screenshot of the interface demonstrating Metadata Input Form