Blackboard’s xpLor – beta pilot of Learning Object Repository
During the Fall 2012 semester, I joined some colleagues from Academic Technology Services (ATS) to participate in a Beta pilot program for Blackboard’s new product called xpLor. xpLor is a cloud-based Learning Object Repository (LOR). “Learning objects” can be files (documents, PDFs, media clips), quizzes, assignments, discussions, rubrics, and learning modules. The goal of a LOR is to provide an environment where content can shared across classes and even institutions, and can easily be imported into Blackboard Learn and other learning management systems such as Angel, Joule, and Moodle.
Participants in the Beta pilot created and shared content, and provided feedback on their experiences to Blackboard through interactive webinars and user forums. The Cornell team identified benefits and challenges throughout the pilot. Our report on the Beta experience has been posted at http://www.it.cornell.edu/cms/teaching/upload/xpLorReportFinal.pdf