Thread:Thoughts on linking external materials (1)

Hi Karen,

Good question regarding whether content should be self contained in WikiEducator or whether linkages to external resources are OK.

I think the answer to this question is related to the pedagogical approach of the author. So for example Otago_Polytechnic are developing a series of "activity" sheets which guide prospective learners through external resources available on the net. The activity sheet is a self-contained bit of free content.

The Open Schools initiative, which has only just started - will be developing self contained study guides, where all the content will be available in WikiEd. These materials will be delivered as print-based study guides to the learners.

So there are no prescriptions in WikiEd concerning the linking of external resources - although personally I feel that we should avoid becoming a repository which merely points to other objects. Ideally we are aiming to develop free content which can be reused, remixed and redistributed in a variety of ways.

You're question has alerted me to the fact that we need some classification of the types of resources that are typically developed in WE. This will help prospective contributors think about different pedagogical approaches.

Chat to you soon.