Definition of a learning object and the characteristics of it, what are the SCORM and AICC standards?

Define what is a learning object and what are the characteristics of a learning object? There are various standards for learning objects, what are the SCORM AND AICC standards?


A learning object is a self-standing, reusable and discrete piece of content that meets an instructional objective. It may be partnered with meta-data so that users can easily identify and locate the other specific learning objects in a Web-based environment.

There are lots of characteristics of a learning object. These include accessibility, interoperability, adaptability, reusability, durability and granularity.

To understand the characteristics, the explanation for each of the characteristics would be given.
Accessibility is important due to the instructional components are often accessed from one remote location and delivered to many other locations in the distributed learning environment.

For interoperability, it uses instructional components developed in one location by using one set of tools or platform. If the instructional components are developed in another location, it will be using a different set of tools or platform. While transferring the learning objects from one CMS (Content Management System) to another, the integrity of the object must be well preserved. Thus, it is important to use an interoperable model while constructing a learning object. Moreover, Meta-data and learning object standards enhance the interoperability of a learning object.

To make sure that we have met the individual and situational needs, a learning object must be adaptable (Adaptability).

Out of all the characteristics, reusability is the most important one. A well designed learning object should allow the users to incorporate it into multiple applications without any additional efforts. Storing, searching and retrieving learning resources have always been a challenge in the traditional teaching and learning media world. Learning object repositories provide solutions to the problems by distributing and reusing the knowledge sources. Therefore, reusable instructional components should be made so that it can be distributed into the learning object repositories in order to share and reuse the object in the future.

Durability operates instructional components when base technology changes, with redesign or recoding. Therefore, by creating a learning object that allows easy updates and republication would extend the durability of the learning object due to the improvement in technology.

Last but not least, Granularity means how rigorously we choose to break down and store our learning object. The unit of a learning object can be in any form such as a course, a lesson and more. Generally, a finer level of granularity promotes reusability, by allowing for use in multiple contexts. But, an increase number of smaller objects mean an increase in costs too.

Now for the SCORM standard, it stands for Sharable Content Object Reference Model. SCORM is a set of specifications that produces small and reusable e-learning objects when SCORM is applied to the course content. SCORM-compliant courseware elements are easily merged with other compliant elements to produce higher quality and better training materials.

On the other hand, AICC stands for Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee. It is an international association of technology-based training professionals that develops training guidelines for the aviation industry. AICC could also be applied to the development, delivery and evaluation of training courses that are developed through technology. One example could be through a learning management system.

References: (http://adlcolab.uwsa.edu/lo/what.htm)
(http://www.syberworks.com/articles/SCORM.htm)
(http://www.loaz.com/learning-objects/learning-object-characteristics.html)