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Learning Lab content in context
When referencing isn't needed
Many Learning Lab pages now offer contextualised examples of key skills in the real world. A number of Learning Lab pages link to Learning Lab Contextualised Content (LLCC), an open educational resource that supports learners by offering realistic and relatable examples of how key knowledge and skills may be applied.
What is the Learning Lab Contextualised Content resource?
LLCC is a suite of online learning materials. Content is presented in an interactive, online format, and is free for educators to use, adapt and share. It covers a range of subjects like maths, physics, writing, nursing, and sustainability literacy, as well as interpersonal, organisational, higher-order thinking, and online learning skills.
The content seeks to build study and career aspirations among learners and awareness of the value of developing foundational, transferable, and multi-disciplinary skills. It does this by presenting learners with content authentic to their lives and experiences, with a focus on industries like engineering, economics and marketing, and the health and social sectors.
The LLCC materials support Learning Lab pages by offering realistic scenarios showing that the skills and knowledge in the tutorials can be practically applied in scenarios learners may encounter in their everyday lives. This reinforces the value of these skills and knowledge areas in the eyes of the learner and demonstrates how developing them will be beneficial in their education and/or careers.
How can educators use this resource?
The LLCC is an open educational resource (OER). The Creative Commons license is CC BY-NC which means you can use it as is or adapt it to suit your needs, providing the purpose is non-commercial (the content is not being sold) and an attribution is included.
The content can be shared or downloaded in various formats. For example, learners can be linked directly to the pages online, the content can be downloaded in a PDF format, or embedded into an LMS, such as Canvas.
Under your guidance and direction, students can engage with learning objects to complement the lessons they are currently undertaking or fill skills or knowledge gaps in foundation areas. The content has been designed so that learners can engage with them independently, but it can be easily adapted to suit pair or group work. There are ‘reflect’ questions in many objects, which can serve as transitions into collaborative activities and larger discussions.
One of the things that makes this content special is that although it has a story, and chapters like a book, it doesn't have to be approached in a linear fashion at all. You might want to include supplementary material on communication and collaboration skills in your course, but not subject skills like maths and physics or vice versa. That is not a problem with the LLCC as the pages are modular, meaning they are self-contained, and you can use specific pages without needing to navigate the entire resource.
For more information on how educators can use the LLCC resource visit the Teacher’s guide.
The table below shows the connections between Learning Lab pages and real-world scenarios in the LLCC.