Explore how MERLOT's repository of learning objects and online community can be leveraged in instructional design to optimize ICT literacy.
Goals:
Explain MERLOT and its features.
Explain ICT literacy standards.
Identify appropriate digital learning objects from MERLOT's repository as part of instructional design.
Incorporate ICT literacy into curriculum through MERLOT digital learning objects.
This year I am spearheading CSU's ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Literacy Project, which focuses on integrating ICT literacy into subject curricula. The main source of resources is MERLOT, to which I have added over two hundred learning objects as well as fifteen bookmark collections, and a sampling of courses and learning exercises.
Established by the California State University system, MERLOT is a community-built repository of learning objects, with an emphasis on higher education resources. Users can locate relevant and developmentally appropriate learning objects: by keyword, by advanced search with its several field options, by community, and by their category index (which is their taxonomy). Users can also browse the bookmark collection and learning exercises. Searching by keyword shows results that can be narrowed down by material type, subject matter and learning exercise. As a MERLOT member (which is free), one can create, copy and modify existing bookmark collections for personal use as well as to serve as a centralized URL for students to access - and build lessons and course portfolios.
To further optimize the use of MERLOT, I have revised the ICT Literacy online community, providing an overview of MERLOT and how to find ICT literacy learning objects, ICT literacy standards, guidelines for ICT literacy enhanced assignments, and CSU library ICT websites. I have also developed a four-part workshop on integrating ICT literacy into the curriculum which individuals can do as a self-paced tutorial, and use as a framework for conducting workshops at their own site.