A learning object is an individual piece of training content. Each type of learning object has different pros and cons and may not be suitable for all types of training.
All learning objects must be accessible to learners with disabilities. For information on making your training accessible, contact your area’s Accessibility Coordinator.
Curricula
A group of two or more learning objects, either of the same or different types.
Curricula are best used when learners must take a specific set of trainings on a related topic, such as management skills or employee onboarding. Curricula are also often used to group an online course with a test.
Instructor-Led Training (ILT), Including Events and Sessions
A course with an instructor, either in person or via webinar.
An event is the basic information about an instructor-led course, including the name, description, vendor, and other permanent features. Each instructor-led course is one event. Each event is a learning object.
A session is the specific times and dates of events in instructor-led training. There may be multiple sessions for each event. Sessions can have different locations, times, dates, instructors, and other features. Learners must select a session for each event they want to register for. Each session is a learning object.
Instructor-led training is best used when an in-person component is important, such as for hands-on demonstrations, small-group work, or a topic that generates a lot of questions from the attendees.
Instructor-led training job aids
Creating and Managing Instructor-Led Training: This course introduces new administrators to the Instructor-Led training functionality in BuckeyeLearn. While this training is primarily intended for instructor-led training (ILT) administrators, it is also useful to learning and OU admins who create and manage instructor-led training.
Materials
An organization's own documentation. Materials can link to many types of documentation, but the most common are
- Documents (doc, docx, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, pps, ppsx, pdf, jpeg, jpe, jpg, gif, or zip; if uploaded maximum file size 50 MB)
- Podcasts
- Videos
- Websites
Materials are best used when documentation has already been created by an organization, changes frequently, or covers a simple topic. Materials are often used for "nice to have" training, such as a PowerPoint or video that was previously presented during an all-team meeting.
Online Courses
Training modules that are created using authoring tools and taken online by learners. Online courses are often interactive and may contain audio or video components.
Online courses are best used for complex training that does not change often. If the training content changes frequently, consider a material instead.
Programs and Cohorts
Structured training with a community of defined learners. Programs and cohorts are not commonly used at Ohio State.
Tests and Questions
An assessment of learners’ knowledge. Questions are created and used to build tests.
Tests are best used when a reportable assessment of learner's understanding of training content is required. If test results will not be reported on or tracked, consider eliminating the test or assessing learner's knowledge through in-training knowledge checks or requiring an acknowledgement.
Videos
A video learners must view, hosted either within BuckeyeLearn or on YouTube.
Videos are best used when the visual component is vital, such as for software demonstrations, and the content will not change frequently. If the training content changes frequently, consider a material instead.