Cisco’s RIO Strategy: E-Learning Development 6
Continuing my dissertation on the concept of learning objects and their role in e-learning content production. Last time, I used very broad strokes to define learning objects: today I want to examine the concept in more detail.
Now read on…
In the late 1990′s, Cisco Systems undertook a seminal project to develop a methodology that would facilitate the move from creating and delivering large “inflexible” training courses to reusable, searchable, modifiable “database-driven objects” that were independent from their delivery media (Barritt et al, 1999, p.1). Cisco called their approach the Reusable Information Object (RIO) Strategy.
One of the objectives of the strategy was to create a new paradigm for workplace training content development and delivery, and for on-the-job learning and development. The approach would provide a number of advantages for content authors, for learners, and of course for organizations (see Table 1).
Table 1 Benefits of the RIO Strategy (after Barritt et al, 1999)
| Benefits | Description |
| Authors | RIO specific templates ensure that design and development is consistent across the organization. |
| Authors write effective and efficient job/task based training. | |
| Authors can reuse any RIO in future development. | |
| Authors can combine old and new RIOs to form larger structures called Reusable Learning Objectives (RLOs.) | |
| The same database of RIOs can be used to create leader-led training, self-paced web based training or performance support tools. | |
| Learners | Presentation and structure of information is consistent across RIOs. |
| RIOs act as a job aid or performance support tool, giving the Learners just-in-time access to training and information. | |
| Delivery modes are customized to best match the individual learning style of the Learner. | |
| Custom learning paths are tailored to the knowledge and skills the individual Learner needs to acquire. | |
| Organizations | Decreases training time |
| Decrease in performance error rates | |
| Decrease in questions to supervisors | |
| Decrease in call volume | |
| Increase in compliance rates |
The RIO Strategy is built upon the Reusable Information Object (RIO). An RIO is granular, reusable “chunk” of information that is media independent. Developed once, an RIO can be distributed via multiple delivery mediums and platforms. Each RIO can stand alone as a collection of
- content items
- practice items
- assessment items
that are combined based on a single learning objective. Individual RIOs are then combined to form a larger structure called a Reusable Learning Object.
The RIO Strategy is based upon a “synthesis” (p2) of Ruth Clark’s modified information mapping approach to learning design, David Merrill’s component display theory, and Cisco’s own Training Standards Committee. According to Cisco,
The result is a structured approach for creating and categorizing content based on five information types: concept, fact, process, procedure, and principle. Cisco System has adopted Dr. Clark’s methodology, and added unique elements that make our database driven, Reusable Information Object Strategy possible.
Barritt et al, 1999, p.1
Individual RIOs can be combined to form a larger structure called a Reusable Learning Object (RLO), and that is where our discussion will go next time.
More…
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References:
Barritt, C., Lewis, D., Wieseler, W. (1999). Cisco Systems Reusable Information Object Strategy. Definition, Creation Overview, and Guidelines Version 3.0. [Internet] Available from: http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/779/ibs/solutions/learning/whitepapers/el_cisco_rio.pdf Accessed 9 January 2010
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January 21 2010 05:14 pm | e-learning
