Love the term or hate the term; if you are looking for quality online digital content you will probably have to use it! Some people stumble over the term and don't like it and getting a standard definition for a learning object is difficult (McGreal, 2004).

What are they?

There are numerous definitions for the term learning objects— none of them describe what a learning object(LO) looks like and most define a learning object in terms of how they are created, used, and stored.

One of the simplest definitions (SREB, 2005) is that a LO is any digital resource that can be used and reused to support learning. Smith’s (2004) New Media Consortium definition adds a layer of context to the simple definition outlined by SREB (2005) with a statement connecting LOs to materials that are grouped in structured, meaningful content combinations and tied to measurable education objectives.  Examples of LOs could include, but are not limited to digital resources such as:

• Simulation
• Animation
• Tutorial
• Quiz/Test
• Lecture/Presentation
• Collection
• Reference Guide
• Case Study
• Classroom Activity/Project
• Game
• Drill/Practice
• Web Quest