The LOC (Learning Object Creator) authoring tool

Highlights

We collaborated with LLAS to create a bespoke tool and workshop for developing pedagogically-sound online learning content.

The development of the LOC authoring tool was an initiative led by the LLAS Centre in collaboration with Julie Watson (tool designer) in eLanguages. The aim was to create a Learning Object Creation tool that would enable educators to produce pedagogically-sound online learning material in an easy and effective way. The project also involved the creation of proactive support mechanisms to help practitioners in their understanding of the pedagogical affordances of LOC.

Since the first LOC training workshops of 2007, which were attended by language teachers within HE and FE from all over the UK, an international community of LOC users grew and established itself. Community members shared their materials and experiences online through the LLAS website, thus cascading good materials and good practice in eLearning.

In LOC training workshops run by the LLAS Centre, participants were introduced to the online tool and the pedagogical concepts underpinning its design, and encouraged to create their own learning objects for peer assessment within the group. Workshops were offered regularly until 2017 to provide training and access to the LOC tool, user guides, and example materials created using it.

The complete training pack provided: