Reusability and Reusable Design

Hey everyone!
Welcome back to my blog. This week I reviewed Chapter 29, Reusability and Reusable Design. Check out the last paragraph titled “Observation,” and feel free to send me your comments.

Robby Robson wrote a great chapter on something that we don’t always place major importance on, reusability. What does reusability mean? Well Robson defines it as “the ability to use the same resource multiple times in multiple ways and in multiple contexts.”

There are four requirements for reusability:

Can it be found?

Metadata: is described as a tool for search and discovery, it is information about a resource.

There are four kinds of metadata:

Basic descriptive metadata (title, author, description, identifier, subject, keywords)
Contextual metadata (info on learning objectives, intended audience, level of difficulty)
Rights metadata (copyright info, terms of use, contact info for permission)
Technical metadata (format, platform requirements, software requirements, and structural information)

Can you use it?

Rights: Often we are left with the urge to use a resource but are unable to access it or use it due to copyrights, patents, property rights, trade and service marks.

Will it work?

Sometimes we come across a resource that works with a certain program or browser and not others. A good reusable resource should work with Internet Explorer, Firefox, and any other browser. It should not require us to download another program just to view it.

Can you use it in a way that works for you?

How does one create reusable design?
Here are the five layers of reusability design:

1. Content- content is perhaps the most important of the layers. This is what the resource will be all about. When constructing content, pay close attention to your target audience and the many ways you can present your content.

2. Context-when creating content, you must put it into a context that everyone can understand. Make your resource available for translation. Don’t assume the reader will know what you’re trying to say, provide resources, images, and be sensitive to different cultures.

3. Pedagogy-try not to make a resource with specific pedagogical limitations. For example, don’t include simply drill and practice because then the reader can’t use self-discovery.

4. Structure-structure your resource in a way that is separated by sections. For example, assessments on one button and content on another.

5. Presentation-Remember that different people will use your resource for different purposes. Try using a format that allows the reader to change the background without changing the content.

Observation:

I’ve recently observed many un-reusable resources on the net. I was on a website trying to get a thematic unit on 3-D shapes. I tried to click on the links and print out the needed pages and nothing would work! GRRRRR! There’s nothing more frustrating than reading the content, realizing it’s just what you’re looking for, then finding out that it’s useless because the links and resources don’t work. What a waste of time!

All of the layers of reusable design sound great. However, what if I want to create something for second graders and I don’t want to change it so sixth graders can reuse it. What if I don’t want someone to change the background? What if I want it to be kept just the way I made it? I guess I wouldn’t really make a good designer of reusable resources.

How do you feel about the work you create? Is it reusable? Is reusability important to you?

Here is a great link to learn more about reusable design:
http://www.reusablelearning.org/

Reference:
Reiser, R. A. & Dempsey, J. V. (2007). Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology. (2nd edition). New Jersey: Merrill Prentice Hall.