Abstract:

This paper presents a framework for defining quality factors for the entire life-cycle of a digital learning object.
In addition to the three dimensions of pedagogy, technology and domain of learning, the proposed framework incorporates the six layers of a learning object including site, structure, services, space plan, skin and stuff.
The learning object quality factors are divided into operation, revision and transistion factors.
The framework defines eighteen quality dimensions for each of the quality factors like correctness, efficiency, usability, trustworthiness, maintainability, verifiability, portability, reusability and interoperability. The framework provides a comprehensive structure that covers existing concepts of quality in learning objects and introduces new and novel quality factors. Several examples of learning objects are used explain each class of quality factors. The quality factors are tied back to existing instructional design and learning object development methodologies.

Keywords:

digital learning objects, quality, e-learning.