Learning objects, repositories, sharing and reusability

The online Learning Resource Catalogue (LRC) Project has been part of an international consortium for several years and currently includes 25 institutions worldwide. The LRC Project has evolved for several pragmatic reasons into an academic network whereby members can identify and share reusable learning objects as well as collaborate in a number of ways. Collaboration through the LRC3 toolset may be concerned with the development or redevelopment of learning resources or for administrative and research purposes. For practical and particularly academic cultural reasons, the 'catalogue' itself has adopted a broad perspective on the nature of a 'repository'. Many academic staff do not wish to give away their learning resources by uploading them to a public place but they may be prepared to describe the resources (objects) and retain control over their use. The LRC3 therefore includes a 'distributed repository' in that the objects may reside in many different places yet can be located through the catalogue which uses IMS‐based learning object metadata. The LRC3 also includes uploading of resources for people who wish to avail themselves of a central repository for their learning objects. A third aspect of 'repository' exists in the collaborative workspace whereby group members can upload their resources to enable sharing and development work within the group.