Reusable content matters: a learning object authoring tool for smart learning environments

Abstract This study reports the design and evaluation process of an authoring tool that is developed for content developers and/or instructors to be able to reuse and repackage existing learning objects (LOs) according to existing instructional needs. The evaluation process included the usability and efficiency of this authoring tool with a sample group of 20 students working at the time of study through their master and/or doctoral degrees in the department of computer education and instructional technologies at a college of education. Tasks in the study included determining instructional needs, searching LOs in various repositories, and repackaging existing LOs by repurposing them. Finally, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected to assess the efficiency and the effectiveness of the tool by soliciting users’ experiences. As a result of the study, it was determined that this tool is a practical content development and packaging tool for content developers and/or instructors. Suggestions concerning properties of similar authoring tools are reported and discussed as to reusability in various smart learning environments (SLE) by organizing content based on various instructional needs