Welcome...

VILOS (Video Interactive Learning Objects) have arrived! VILOS take you to the next level of learning objects. Students, who are immersed in an increasingly digital world outside of the classroom, are seeking richer and more engaging learning experiences. As a result, instructors are exploring innovative ways to use technology to foster interaction, collaboration, and excitement for learning.

What are learning objects?

According to the Department of Defense (DOD), learning objects have the following characteristics or “ilities”: reusability, accessibility, interoperability, and durability. These “ilities,” explains Kaiser (2000), result in activity-sized learning objects, just large enough to be a lesson, that retain their utility over time, are easy to locate and use, can be used on a variety of platforms or course management systems, and are able to be reused in different learning contexts. These characteristics are in line with the literature on learning objects (Downes, 2003; Hamel & Ryan-Jones, 2002; Ploetz, 2003; South & Monson, 2000).

What are VILOS?

Have specific objectives
Very short (5-10 minutes long)
Have longer shelf life
Can be used in face-2-face, online, hybrid, and two-way video classes
Have built in quizzes and are interactive
Accessible to students 24x7, via CD/DVD, iPods, CATV, and Streaming server
May be viewed repeatedly

Benefit of VILOS

Improves retention of objective
Improves grades and performance on skills assessment
Meets learning style needs for many
Excellent for students with disabilities
Presents challenging topics in a new format
Involves students more as they participate in the development
Available to students 24/7!!
Use as a storage device Open lab hours not available
Instructor availability
Cost of supplies for practice (lab materials may cost as much as $12 each)
Cost of video production is a one time investment
Can benefit unlimited number of students!

Featured Benefits of VILOS

According to Tova Green, Medical Assisting Program Chair, some of the benefits to adding VILOS for our students include the following:

Standardization of technique across all sections of the course
Students will preview the procedures and come to class better prepared to practice the skill
Students will have ability to practice and refine complicated and complex skills such as microscope usage in an out of class setting
Minimize damage to the microscopes caused by student incompetence
Students will have ongoing access to video that will allow them to review and master skills; benefit students that are absent and/or need extensive remediation or enter an action plan for remediation
Students can “virtually” review lab skills, saving money on supplies ($2-10 or more per video procedure) that the program currently provides
Allow the instructor to utilize the video in class to point out skill aspects that are difficult to capture when the skill is performed live
Prepare students to work with equipment that is unique to the lab and not presented in text-prepared resources
Allow incorporation of new instruments that are not yet addressed in written formats
Improves access to all students, regardless of financial need

Testimonials

"The VILOS give the student the opportunity to prepare for class, look at them during class and after we do the procedure, they are able to take the videos home to review the procedures for their Skills Check-offs." Dave Martin, CMA, Medical Assisting Instructor
...read more

References

Hamel, C. J., & Ryan-Jones, D. (2002) Designing instruction with learning objects. International Journal of Educational Technology, 3(1). Retrieved on February 9, 2006 from http://www.ao.uiuc.edu/ijet/v3n1/hamel/index.html
Kaiser, G. E. (2002). Constructing learning objects. Retrieved February 11, 2006 from http://student.ccbcmd.edu/~gkaiser/LO_05.html
Ploetz, P. (2004) Faculty development and learning object technology: Bridging the gap. Teaching with Technology Today 10(4).
South, J. B., & Monson, D. W. (2000). A university-wide system for creating, capturing and delivering learning objects. Retrieved February 11, 2006 from http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:P34hz0u6QSEJ: www.reusability.org/read/chapters/south.doc+reusability,+accessibility, +interoperability+and+durability+&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=12&client=firefox-a