REPOSITORIES AND OBJECTS OF TEACHING AND LEARNING IN THE UNIVERSITY CONTEXT: THE MOREA CASE

Abstract

In this paper we describe a project developed by the Stellae Group and the Center for Learning Technologies (CETA) at the University of Santiago de Compostela. The main goal was to set up spaces in order to support university teachers in the design of e-learning activities. The project especially addresses the needs of teachers who are less skilled in terms of Information and Communication Technologies (TIC). We begin by reviewing the current context of university education, with special attention to Information and Communication Technologies issues. Then we go on to explain the objectives of the project entitled «Strategies for university teaching: appropriate use of learning objects in the design of proposals for Web based learning». As mentioned above, this project aims to develop support environments for designing e-learning activities. We explain the concept and meaning of learning objects and learning object repositories, metadata and metadata standards, as well as list some of the best known repositories. Afterward, we present MOREA (acronym in Spanish for Multiple Reusable Objects for Teaching and Learning), which is a web portal that contains recommendations for the design and use of learning materials in a virtual learning environment. It also provides a repository of learning objects that teachers can use when designing these materials. Throughout the paper we discuss some of the problems and challenges that arise during the development of the project. We end with some final considerations about the current state of the project and its future prospects.