Digital learning objects: towards an understanding of their value in supporting key competencies within the New Zealand Curriculum framework.

The notion of reusable, flexible, learning resources delivered digitally has for some years held appeal for educators and those involved in the design of learning environments (Ip & Morrison, 2001). The capacity to organise and structure learning materials in a manner which targets the specific learning needs of groups and individuals has been shown to optimise learning potential (BECTA, 2005), and increasingly the digital medium is being used to achieve this, through the development of niche software applications known as digital learning objects (DLOs). This paper explores the use of DLOs produced by the Le@rning Federation in range of Year 7/8 classes in a New Zealand Intermediate school. It provides a preliminary analysis of the type of thinking and collaborative skills and strategies students employed while using the objects, and offers early insights into the potential for DLOs to support the development of two key competencies as outlined in the new national curriculum framework (Ministry of Education, 2007).