A generative learning object (GLO) may be defined as

“An articulated and executable learning design that produces a class of learning objects.”

The representation in a GLO is articulated in two distinct ways:

• The first form relates to human understanding. A GLO articulates and renders explicit (the often implicit) decisions involved in design for learning. It does this by using a form of representation borrowed and adapted from generative linguistics.
• The second form of articulation is rendering explicit these decisions in a way that can be executed by computer software to produce learning objects based on the design.

In practice, the pedagogical designs are represented as ‘plug-in’ patterns to the GLO Authoring tool. The patterns are represented explicitly in this tool. The tool can be used to create specific learning objects based on the chosen pattern. Each of these learning objects developed in this way can be re-purposed by local tutors (or learners), using the same tool, to adapt the resources to their local needs and preferences. All the learning objects so created, or adapted, run as stand-alone Web based learning objects.