Learning Technology Interoperability Standards Lorna M. Campbell and Boon Low CETIS and the University of Strathclyde LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

Why do we need learning technology standards and specifications?  To prevent content becoming “locked in” to proprietary systems.  To ensure educational content can be reused.  To enable educational content & learner information to be shared.  To facilitate interoperability. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

Who is developing LT interoperability specifications? IMS Global Learning   Learning Resource Meta-data  Question and Test Interoperability  Learner Information Packages  Competencies  Simple Sequencing  Content Packaging  Learning Design  Accessibility  Digital Repositories. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

Who is developing LT interoperability specifications? Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL).   US Department of Defence Initiative.  Working with IMS.  Primarily focused on the delivery of web based content.  Shared Content Object Reference Model (SCORM).  SCORM incorporates IMS Meta-data and elements of Content packaging. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

Who is developing LT interoperability specifications? European Centre for Standards/Information Society Standardisation System Learning Technologies Workshop (CEN/ISSS WSLT).   Project teams active in a variety of areas:  Localisation and internationalisation of Learning Object Metadata.  Description of language capabilities.  Quality assurance.  Taxonomies and vocabularies.  Educational Modelling Languages. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

Who is developing LT interoperability specifications? Dublin Core Metadata Initiative.   Focused on developing interoperable online metadata standards.  Collaborating with IMS and IEEE LOM WG.  “Ottawa Group”.  “Metadata Principles and Practicalities” published in DLib magazine. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

Who is developing formal LT interoperability standards? Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Learning Technology Standards Committee (LTSC)   Wide variety of working groups:  Learner related  Content related  Data and metadata, including Learning Object Metadata (LOM)  Management systems and applications LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

Who is developing formal LT interoperability standards? International Standards Organisation (ISO) Sub Committee 36 (SC 36)  Learning Technology.  Standardization in the area of information technologies that support automation for learners, learning institutions, and learning resources.  IEEE LTSC has a "formal" relationship with SC 36.  Produce formal certified standards. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

What do LT interoperability standards do?  Enable users to search for, locate and retrieve appropriate content – Metadata, Digital Repositories.  Plan educational scenarios and formulate instructional design – EML & Learning Design.  Deliver educational content tailored to learners requirements – Learning Design, EML, Simple Sequencing, SCORM. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

What do LT interoperability standards do?  Share content between systems – Content Packaging, SCORM.  Create and deliver computer aided assessments – Question and Test Interoperability.  Record and share learner information – Learner Information Packages (LIP), Competencies, Enterprise.  Ensure educational content is accessible to all users – Accessibility. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

How do LT standards relate to educational practice? LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002 administration learning resources competencies registry/ authority course delivery system student pedagogy tests & assessment activities dialogue teacher library Original diagram by C. Duncan

How do LT standards relate to educational practice? Existing specifications. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002 administration learning resources competencies registry/ authority course delivery system student pedagogy tests & assessment activities dialogue teacher library Metadata IMS Competency Definition OUNL EML IMS Content Packaging IMS QTI IMS Enterprise IMS LIP Original diagram by C. Duncan

How do LT standards relate to educational practice? Forthcoming specifications. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002 administration learning resources competencies registry/ authority course delivery system student pedagogy tests & assessment activities dialogue teacher library Metadata IMS Competency Definition OUNL EML IMS Content Packaging IMS QTI IMS Enterprise IMS LIP IMS Learning Design IMS Simple Sequencing IMS Digital Repositories Original diagram by C. Duncan

CETIS: Supporting the UK FE/HE community  Centre for Educational Technology Interoperability Standards.  Funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC).  Support UK Higher and Further Education.  Represents UK FE/HE on international educational standards initiatives, e.g. IMS, CEN/ISSS.  Advises Universities and Colleges on the strategic, technical and pedagogic implications of educational technology standards.  Manages the Special Interest Groups (SIGs). LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

The CETIS SIGs  Established to support the UK FE/HE sector’s uptake and implementation of interoperability specifications.  Track the development of standards and specifications.  Advise the sector on the relevance of different standards and specifications.  Channel sector’s requirements back to CETIS and international standards initiatives.  Support communities of practice. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

The CETIS SIGs  Accessibility SIG  Assessment SIG  Computer aided assessment and Question and Test Interoperability.  Educational Content SIG  Content Packaging, Learning Design, Simple Sequencing, SCORM, EML, etc.  FE Focus Group  Supports the interests of FE colleges in the SIGs and other organisations.  Learner Information and Enterprise SIG  Metadata SIG  Focused on learning resource metadata. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

SIG Activities  Hold regular working meetings throughout UK.  Host dissemination events, road shows and plugfests.  Maintain website and manage mailing lists.  Produce user guides, beginners guides, etc.  Conduct community practice surveys.  Support colleagues developing tools and implementing specifications.  Participate in standards bodies working group meetings.  Commission tasks. LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002

Further information The CETIS website:   Hosts websites for all the SIGs.  Regular updates of latest developments in the field of LT standards.  Described by The Technology Source as: “Probably the most comprehensive and current site devoted to educational technology interoperability standards, the CETIS Web site is an essential resource for anyone working in the fields of learning objects or learning content management systems.” LMC, SURF Presentation, April 2002