Design of an Open Source Learning Objects Authoring Tool-The LO Creator

Introduction Authoring tools that allow creation of learning objects are emerging at a slow pace. There are authoring tools available to the public for free download. Reload, for example, is an authoring tool that facilitates "creation, sharing and reuse of learning objects using a range of pedagogical approaches through the use of lesson plans" (See http://www.reload.ac.uk/). Another example is GLO maker, a free authoring tool for creating generative learning objects. (See http://www.glomaker.org/). Although these authoring tools are free to download, they are not Open Source (OS). Conversely, there are several OS authoring tools that are freely available to anyone who would like to adapt, expand, modify, and/or enhance the software. Several examples of these OS authoring tools are as follows: * Xical-Xical is an Open Source player for media presentations, e-learning lectures, tutorials and webinars. It is designed and programmed in Flash and ActionScript and runs on Macromedias OS-agnostic. (See http://xical.org/) * eXe-The eXe project is an Open Source authoring application for creating Web educational content. (See http://exelearning.org/wiki) * Multimedia Learning Object Authoring Tool--The Multimedia Learning Object Authoring Tool is an Open Source tool that "enables content experts to easily combine video, audio, images and texts into one synchronized learning object." (See http://www.learningtools.arts.ubc.ca/mloat.htm) * Xerte-Xerte is an Open Source server-based suite of tools that is "aimed at developers of interactive content who will create sophisticated content with some scripting." (See http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~cczjrt/Editor/) Most of these OS authoring tools have an extensive learning curve with little attention to simplicity and design flexibility. Therefore, these LO authoring tools may not be suitable for everyone wishing to create learning objects. While the task of developing OS Learning Objects authoring tools is slowly picking up among the communities of practice, two elements must be taken into consideration during the development process--(1) simplicity of design and (2) a free style pedagogical design environment. Simplicity means that the authoring tool is simple and straightforward. It is uncomplicated and the learning curve is nominal. Simplicity of the authoring tool may encourage the LO designer to include appropriate user interface elements in the design process of learning objects. A free style pedagogical design environment does not impose a set of pedagogical approaches to be followed by the LO designer; rather it allows the flexibility for creativity of design using learning theories and principles suitable for a chosen audience. The primary purpose of this paper is to present the birth of an Open Source Learning Objects authoring tool (the LO Creator) that emphasizes simplicity and flexibility for a free style pedagogical design environment for creating learning objects. Consistent with its purpose, this paper is organized as follows. First, the concept of Open Source is explained. Secondly, a brief explanation of learning objects is presented. Next, the paper presents the Open Source Learning Objects Authoring Tool--LO Creator from design to implementation. The discussion then turns to presenting a systematic and methodical approach in designing and creating sound learning objects using the LO Creator. Conclusions and recommendations for future research complete the paper. What is Open Source? GNU project (See http://www.gnu.org/) defines open source (OS) software as "a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software." GNU project's freedom statements (0-3) regarding OS software are: * Freedom 0--The freedom to run the program, for any purpose. * Freedom 1--The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs. …