A Repository of Content Modules and Applied Learning Activities

One approach to creating teaching and learning resources is to create a Repository of Content Modules and Applied Learning Activities. This modular approach to a learning repository, such as with using short videos for content and learning activities for application creates a clear distinction between content and application. The following list helps bring this into perspective.

  1. A Repository contains the Content Modules and Applied Learning Activities that can be selected and uniquely assembled by educators to form a specific Course. As such, the same Content Module may be used by different educators in different Courses.
  2. A Course consists of a Content Component and an Applied Learning Component.
    The Content Component of a Course consists of Content Modules, which are used to convey course material, and can include self-study and review questions, as well as self-assessment quizzes. The same Content Module can be used in multiple courses.
  3. The Applied Learning Component of a Course consists of Applied Learning Activities that can be exercises, case studies, situations, learning tasks, scenarios, etc., which are used by educators to model expertise to learners, and by learners to develop competence in applying course content. New content should not be introduced in an Applied Learning Activity because if other educators substitute that activity with another, there may be an inadvertent loss of the content from the Repository.
  4. A Content Module can be associated with multiple Applied Learning Activities, and an Applied Learning Activity can be associated with more than one Content Module.
  5. Content Learning Objectives pertain to the understanding of course material such that learners can successfully pass a written or oral examination, while Applied Learning Objectives pertain to the application of course content to solve authentic real-world problems.
  6. Content Modules and Applied Learning Activities should include Educator Notes that state the goals, design, scope, use, and limitations of the Module or Activity. These notes help faculty when deciding if the module or activity is appropriate for their learners.