The Usage of Data Repositories: The Case of MAOR

Abstract

MAOR (Meta-data and Object Repository) is a national Israeli repository of online learning object meta-data. MAOR serves as a major online learning resource repository, containing materials for both K-12 and Higher Education and enabling teachers to share, reuse, and remix modular learning objects. This paper describes the MAOR repository and the stages of its establishment. Subsequently the growth of the repository analysis is presented, focusing on the learning objects characteristics, contribution rate, and contributors' profile. The outcomes of the analysis indicated that learning objects from different disciplines (especially Science and Technology, Social Science, and Humanities) were contributed to the MAOR repository. Varied types of learning objects were found, representing different types of content and activities with different goals aimed at diverse target audiences. The majority of resources were contributed by educational institutions, mainly academic institutions and content providers. Although MOAR was established on the basis of the MERLOT model, its contributors' profile is different due to the fact that most of the contributors are the authors. Besides, the findings that are set out in this paper also show distinction in contribution rate between the institutions that consider the contribution of materials as part of their policy and institutions that do not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning & Learning Objects is the property of Informing Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)