1. BETT 2009 Next Generation Learning: Improving integration of Learning and Management Systems Presented at BETT 2009 on Thursday 15 January 2009 Presented by Karen Mitchell, Head of Information Management

2. Improving integration of Learning and Management Systems The need for interoperability The statement of intent The SIF Association UK What is SIF Implementations

3. Challenges……Initiatives – Creating the need Every Child Matters Parental engagement Learning platforms Identity management Building Schools for the Future 14-19 Agenda

4. Registratio n Lesson Progress Behaviour Homewor k Attendanc e Registration Lesson Assessment Exam Entries

5. 2005 Becta Value for Money report Recommendation 3 That Becta will establish a supplier independent and open interoperability architecture to create the opportunity for improved interoperability at the school level and at the local authority or Regional Broadband consortium (RBC) level. Additionally Becta’s arrangements will draw, to the maximum extent possible, on ongoing work across Government on interoperability standards. Work commenced on interoperability which led us to the Systems Interoperability Framework (SIF)

6. Statement of intent – July 2008 We have been actively engaged in finding open approaches to enable the easy flow of data between multiple information services, systems and products regardless of who produces or supplies them. A high degree of compatibility - interoperability in the jargon - is the foundation for effective, efficient and economic information management. It means - subject always to the primacy of information security considerations - better collaboration between partners, more agile applications, getting better returns on software investments and, most importantly, better meeting the needs of users whether they be teachers, learners, decision makers or others through, for example, joining up learning platform and management information system functions.

7. Statement of Intent – continued Becta, the lead national partner for educational technology, has identified and researched the Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF). Becta is clear that SIF has proven potential to deliver a wide range of benefits at the front line and at local and national levels, and now recommends SIF as a preferred solution. Proof of concept projects and other development work continues. But the expectation is that SIF standard will be adopted by local authorities and system suppliers to meet specific local business needs over the next 18 months or so. DCSF, DIUS, Becta

8. What is the SIF Association ? Schools Interoperability Framework in the US Systems Interoperability Framework in the UK

10. What is SIF? Not a product, but a technical blueprint for education software Designed for education technology suppliers and educators Manages data within the education environment Enables diverse applications to interact and share data Systems

11. What is the SIF specification? Data standard Document that defines accepted rules Describes the data (what) + infrastructure (how) Provides a complete set of rules from start to finish Systems

12. Components of SIF Network Accounts 14 to 19 Data Analysis & Reporting VLE Library Learning Platform Meals MIS Zone Integration Server Software Routing Access Control SIF agents Communicate with ZIS Assemble and process messages Data objects Sets of information XML

13. SIF zones Library Meals MIS Network Accounts Learning Platform MIS School Zone LA Zone Logical grouping of applications, agents, and ZIS Highly flexible and scalable No predefined size or structure… specific to your implementation

14. Event messages Network Accounts 14 to 19 Data Analysis & Reporting VLE Library Learning Platform Meals MIS Types: Add Change Delete ZIS broadcasts to subscribers Real time communication

15. Request and response messages Network Accounts Data Analysis & Reporting Library MIS Learning Platform Meals Initial loading Synchronization VLE 14 to 19

16. Current implementations Birmingham National Pathfinder SWGfL Merlin project LGfL pilot Norfolk Local Authority

17. Birmingham Pathfinder Project Aims to deliver the benefits of implementing the Schools Interoperability framework within all Birmingham schools by providing a framework for the vertical and horizontal movement of specified data between agreed applications within the Birmingham education system The project will specifically provide – automated population of agreed school applications with data from the MIS – improved time efficient methods for administration of authentication and active directory – efficient process for movement of data between schools and the CYPF directorate (LA) – investigation of a more efficient and effective process for the electronic transfer of pupil information between Birmingham schools

18. SWGfL - Merlin Merlin provides a foundation for a school’s Learning Platform: – Simplified sign-on service – Virtual Desktop – Regional collaborative tools – Space for all users and learners Merlin provides interoperability services that will integrate: – Management Information Systems – Virtual Learning Environments – All in an e-safe environment Where possible standards-led utilising Shibboleth and SIF Delivered by RM in partnership with Netmedia Education Live in October 2008 – 579 schools and growing.

19. SIF forms a fundamental part of the SWGfL Merlin vision As part of Learning Environments procurement the SWGfL all suppliers selected for the catalogue for SWGfL Local Authorities are contracted to support SIF and Shibboleth SWGfL been working with all major MIS to support the rollout of SIF SWGfL will provide strict controls over which vendors can both subscribe and publish data SWGfL require all vendors adhere to best practice and data security standards There is an expectation that any vendor wishing to attach to the Merlin SIF will be Certified

20. Further work and drivers Data protection and security issues 14-19 Awarding bodies – JCQ QCA - Diploma Aggregation Service MIAP

21. For more information: Karen Mitchell – Head of Information Management – karen.mitchell@becta.org.uk karen.mitchell@becta.org.uk John Chapman – Senior Architect: Information Management – john.chapman@becta.org.uk john.chapman@becta.org.uk Penny Murray – Project Adviser, Information Management – penny.murray@becta.org.uk penny.murray@becta.org.uk SIF Association UK website – www.sifinfo.org.uk www.sifinfo.org.uk For further information on SIF Association UK, please email: – sifauk@becta.org.uk sifauk@becta.org.uk