Learning Objects Repository: a discovery platform for RMIT's signature pedagogy

The Library's Digital Learning Team is exploring viability and developing models to deliver a digital learning object repository as outlined in RMIT's Education Plan. This project now has the title ‘Learning Objects Repository’ and was formerly known as the ‘Learning Library’ or DLOR (Digital Learning Objects Repository).

This project aims to collect, manage and provide access to digital learning objects to offer efficiency between similar teaching areas, support Open Scholarship at RMIT, and create a more sustainable approach to creation and [re]use of digital learning resources.

Educators and learning, teaching, quality and project teams through the course of their work generate high quality materials that may have benefit in other learning areas. However, efforts to offer visibility on these materials for reuse in aligned curriculum areas is not sufficiently supported by digital infrastructure at present.

Imagined digital learning object workflow in and out of the Learning Library by producer, consumer and manager user types. This diagram represents a continuous and cyclical model of the flow of DLOs - showing many functions, aggregations and cycles of use and reuse, flow in and out of the repository and learning environments, review and end of life cycle. Details of these activities are outlined in the report.

In 2025, the Library Digital Learning Team is working on the following:

Implementing workflows, processes and a technology solution as a pilot and MVP (Minimal Viable Product)
Review and evaluation of the collection criteria rubric through real-world testing
Continued relationship building with colleges and portfolios within RMIT
Returning to stakeholders to locate, secure and appraise DLOs to determine extent, and seeking champions within the colleges to assist with survey and appraisal of DLOs
Continued meetings with strategic partners outside of the University - these include stakeholders and potential partners such as CAVAL, CAUL, other universities and education providers who have similar needs and have expressed interest in a similar solution, developing a community of best-practice around creation, use and management of DLOs.

By the end of 2025

We anticipate a range of outcomes including workflow processes and a usable discovery platform, that will inform the continuation of the project. We will also identify further collections of DLOs that meet the criteria for inclusion in the repository and develop a process for identifying new and emerging DLOs that can be collected in the future.

The benefits that will come from realising this project include:

better working practices, processes, methods and productivity for DLO managers and producers
better access to quality learning resources for DLO producers and consumers
sustainable, secure, managed storage for DLOs with minimisation of risk and technical debt.

More information

RMIT community members can learn more about the project and read updates at the SharePoint site.

External parties, please make contact via the project leads below.

RMIT University Library contacts

Jack Dunstan

Associate Director, Quality and Engagement

Email address: jack.dunstan@rmit.edu.au

Lisa Cianci

Manager, Digital Learning

Email address: lisa.cianci@rmit.edu.au

Karl Ervine

Senior Specialist, Digital Learning Resources

Email address: karl.ervine@rmit.edu.au

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information