Learning Object Farms in Mathematics and Statistics Distance Education

Currently, Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) focus on managing various learning resources like text material, animations, video, and sound. The ability to reuse content for learning has led to the development of the concept of reusable Learning Objects. A Learning Object (LO) might be defined as a collection of digital modules, each representing a minimal, independent and standalone educational unit. Learning Object Farms (LOF) use XML and MathML to offer web-based large scale and on-demand production of classes of graphical LO to be used in mathematics, statistics and natural sciences. The main components of LOF are (1) a bottom layer with server based Computer Algebra Systems; (2) an intermediate processing layer containing Servlets, and (3) Web Forms as the graphical top layer. Standard mathematical and scientific notation is obtained in both static and dynamical text based XHTML presentations, as well as in graphical presentations exploring Scalable Vector Graphics. The article will report on a study conducted in an undergraduate statistics course in Cyprus, in which students worked on web-based statistics LOF developed using MapleNet. It will provide an overview of the study and its main findings and will discuss some of the ways in which inclusion of LOF can add a new dimension to distributed distance training of technical courses by offering mechanisms for interactive heterogeneous mathematical and statistical representations.