Frequently Asked Questions

What is a repository?

A repository is a digital collection of resources that can be searched, accessed and used through a network requiring no prior knowledge of the collection´s structure.

Is a repository the same as a digital library?

A digital repository is similar to a library, but also different from a library.

  • It allows users to contribute resources
  • It safely stores and delivers resources over the Internet. Delivery options include wireless devices.
  • It assists in the reuse and sharing of resources. A single resource file may be re-used or re-purposed in multiple locations at the same time. Resources can be "pushed" to faculty based on individual preferences.
  • A quality review process ensures resource accuracy.
  • Access to resources can be controlled based on roles and permissions.

What is stored in a repository?

A wide range of digital resources can be stored. Resources must be interoperable, so that they can be used across any standardized platform.

  • Assets (small pieces of content; e.g. audio files, pictures, animations, syllabi).
  • Short, self-paced student lessons (learning objects).
  • Professional development resources for educators.
  • Tools and templates
  • Simulations
  • Entire courses

What is a "learning object?"

There are many definitions for "learning object." A learning object can refer to any digital asset which can be used to enable teaching or learning. These assets might be simple images, documents, or media files, or they can be lessons, groups of lessons, or entire courses. The more formalized definition for a learning object is a resource that contains content, practice activities, and assessment items that are linked to one or more educational objectives. By either definition, learning objects are digital content that can be used and reused for teaching and learning. These objects are flexible, portable, interoperable (within any standard platform), and accessible.

Why does Florida need a repository?

A repository will reduce the duplication of effort required to develop digital content. Faculty members and content development teams in Florida and the SREB states are creating digital resources such as lessons, audio, exercises, tools, and animations, often developing content to teach or emphasize the same concepts. These resources are stored on the hard drives of faculty and institutional computers and in individual courses, not accessible to other faculty or institutions. A repository provides a place for sharing resources for the benefit of all Florida educators and students.

What quality standards does Orange Grove support?

We support two types of quality standards:

  • International e-Learning Technical Standards that form the foundation of the repository
    • Technical standards (IEEE, IMS, Ariadne) support universal access to resources through interoperability (defined by IEEE as "the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged"). Metadata standards ensure the discoverability of resources (IEEE LOM).
  • Quality Review Standards and Policies that allow users to trust the repository content
    • All resources are reviewed for factual accuracy, grammatical correctness, technical conformance, and sufficiency of descriptive information about the resource itself (metadata). Lessons/tutorials are also reviewed for instructional quality.

View a complete description of The Orange Grove Quality Review Process (MS Word, 50 KB)