1. http://www.feenix.co.uk E-Learning Fundamentals Prepared for January 2004

2. www.feenix.co.uk Purpose of Meeting Provide a basic understanding of –e-learning, –its principles and –possible approaches

3. www.feenix.co.uk Agenda Introduction –FeeNix e-Learning background –‘Qualified’ to talk about e-learning and standards E-Learning background and definitions –What is e-learning? Definition Physical and conceptual components Demo of a LMS and some content Quality Considerations –Maximising Impact and uptake –Typical Implementations Case studies lessons learned Standards AICC and SCORM – History Why the standards are necessary – Certification and compliance Who is – Definitions and differences Pros,Cons and Gotchas Mandatory and Optional data elements – Things you need to know… LMS supplier Content Supplier – References

4. http://www.feenix.co.uk What is E-Learning –Physical and conceptual components –Demo of a LMS and some content

5. www.feenix.co.uk A definition of e-learning “Any learning, training or education that is facilitated by the use of well- know and proven computer technologies, specifically networks based on Internet technology.” –the learning content is stored on a web server –accessed via a browser and the TCP-IP network protocol

6. www.feenix.co.uk Types of e-Learning ‘Blended’ learning is a combination of: –Face to Face - Classroom or sales calls –Materials - Books / videos / CDs / brochures –E-learning – On-line via Internet or Intranet Synchronous (Using collaboration tools) –Interactive on-line chat –Electronic whiteboards –Presentation delivery –Virtual Symposiums Asynchronous (Web-based version of CBT (CD-ROM) –E-learning, e-detailing –Most of the work done on e-learning standards is concerned with asynchronous e-learning

7. www.feenix.co.uk The Sector Split Corporate market –LMS – Learning Management Systems –Just in time learning Academic market –VLE – Virtual Learning Environment –Tutor contact time is important – collaboration tools –Qualifications are important –Links to funding councils LSC – Learning and Skills council

8. www.feenix.co.uk Physical E-Learning Components Courseware / Content –Sequential Lessons –Assessments (pre, post, embedded) LMS / ‘wrapper’ –a suite of functionalities designed to deliver, track, report on and manage learning content, student progress and student interactions. LCMS –Content creation, storage and organisation Collaboration Tools –Contact between learners and tutors Development/Authoring Tools –Specialised tools for producing e-learning content

9. www.feenix.co.uk Content Providers Off the shelf

10. www.feenix.co.uk Courseware 2 Bespoke –External –1 hour of content could cost £20k depending on the interactivity and richness of the media Video Audio Games

11. www.feenix.co.uk Courseware 3 Creating bespoke content internally –Content creation team: SME (subject matter expert) Instructional Designer Graphics designer Programmer –Authoring Tools Macromedia: Flash, Authorware, Coursebuilder (dreamweaver); Toolbook II Lectora publisher, Trainer soft MM Breeze, Robopresenter, Impatica

12. www.feenix.co.uk Highly generalised LMS

13. www.feenix.co.uk LMS’s LMS focused HR Focused

14. www.feenix.co.uk Conceptual E-learning Components The Learning Object (LO) –Smallest chunk of content to stand alone as a meaningful unit –Size is determined by the authors E.g. differences between Netg and Knowledgepool –In standards terms –smallest trackable unit E.g. one ‘assessment’ per LO –Re-useable is key smaller and focused 20 minute maximum

15. www.feenix.co.uk Demo of LMS plus content Students and Local administrators WBT Manager Database WBT Manager Web Module Database Server Web Server ODBC Training ManagerHTTP

16. www.feenix.co.uk General Demo Log-on Home page Launch a lesson Complete some learning View the reports

17. http://www.feenix.co.uk E-Learning Standards History Why the standards are necessary

18. www.feenix.co.uk Where when and who? Early 1980’s Aviation industry was the first to adopt CBT on a large scale –Sophisticated aircraft –Keeping personnel up-to-date –Safety –Records Why CBT? –Media –rich, interactive v printed manual –Additional assessment and data tracking –24/7 availability –Just in time access to most up to date info Boeing, Airbus, McDonnell-Douglas …. –Proprietary hardware and software –High cost, records on multiple computers

19. www.feenix.co.uk History continued 1988 Aviation Industry CBT Committee (AICC) was formed –International group – manufacturers, trainers (military, commercial and civilian) government and regulatory, e-learning vendors and courseware developers –Hardware was ‘sorted’ first –1993 – guideline for computer managed instruction interoperability –1998 – web-based version 1991 – Gulf War –After war – US congress studies concluded that reserve forces needed improved access to education and training –Funds went to National Guard for prototype e-learning classrooms and networks 1997 – Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative (ADL) –US Department of Defence Expanded this work and founded ADL –Publishing first specification of SCORM in 1999 Other standards bodies were IMS and IEEE

20. www.feenix.co.uk Why Do We Need Standards? “..must be a common way –to start content, –for content to communicate with an LMS and –predefined data elements that are exchanged between an LMS and content during its execution.” SCORM overview So that: –Mix and match content from multiple sources in-house off-the-shelf –Re-use content –Avoid proprietary systems –Future-proof e-learning investment

21. http://www.feenix.co.uk Definitions Which Standards Who is certified/compliant

22. www.feenix.co.uk Which Standards? AICC CMI Specification (AGR 010) –www.aicc.orgwww.aicc.org –The Aviation Industry CBT Committee (AICC) has developed a specification that allows courseware from multiple vendors to communicate with a single LMS. The AICC specification has been widely adopted outside the airline industry. ADL SCORM –www.adlnet.org –More recently the Advanced Distributed Learning initiative (ADL) has developed the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) specification to open e-learning standards to a wider audience. Much of SCORM is based on AICC but some components have been implemented differently.

23. www.feenix.co.uk E-Learning Standards Evolution

24. www.feenix.co.uk Standards Certification AICC CMI Specification –Certification –self-test –Designed to the guidelines ADL SCORM –certification –self-test

25. www.feenix.co.uk Products that can be AICC-Certified LMS LMS - Application Service Provider (ASP) Assignable Unit (Lesson/LO) WBT Courses - Collection of Learning Objects within an AICC/LMS course structure Courseware generation and assessment tools Authoring Systems/Tools

26. www.feenix.co.uk Who is AICC Certified?(14) WBT Manager* TopClass Docent Saba3 Pathlore LMS THINQ ConXerto Achieve (Hk) DIDA GROUP S.p.A (Italian) Getronics S.p.A. Miraenet Co., Ltd. (Korean) Samsung SDS Mediopia Plateau 4 LMS (US) Maritz Learning (US)

27. www.feenix.co.uk Non-LMS AICC products Courseware –Skillsoft Corporation /Smartforce –SmartForce –Coastal Training Technology Corporation –ElementK Courseware Generation/Assessment Systems –Question Mark - Perception – CentraOne Authoring Tools –None

28. www.feenix.co.uk Who is SCORM Certified WebMentor Avilar Technologies, Inc. WebMentor Knowledge Centre Meridian Knowledge Solutions, Inc. Knowledge Centre Semvra ACORDE Media, S.A. Semvra Kontext Advanced Learning Lab, Ltd. Kontext NetCampus21 Alex IT NetCampus21 Desire2Learn SCORM Component Desire2Learn Inc. Desire2Learn SCORM Component WebAula Corporate Zargon Computacao Ltda. aka Zargon & Poliedro e-Le WebAula Corporate NEP (Next Education Platform) K1system co. Ltd. NEP (Next Education Platform) Aspen Learning Management Server Click2learn Aspen Learning Management Server ANGEL CyberLearning Labs, Inc. ANGEL Crossroads Portable LMS and Packager ManTech Advanced Development Group, IncCrossroads Portable LMS and Packager SpeedLearn Miraenet Co. Ltd SpeedLearn KnowledgeWorkstechniques.org KnowledgeWorks Atlas ProBooz Allen Hamilton Inc. Atlas Pro In.Form@DIDAGROUP SPA In.Form@

29. www.feenix.co.uk Who is SCORM Certified Learn eXact GIUNTI Interactive Labs Learn eXact e-Learning Management System Shinewave International Inc. e-Learning Management System TopClass WBT Systems TopClass Pathlore LMS Pathlore Corporation Pathlore LMS LearningTrackThe Learning Touch, LLC LearningTrack WebCT Vista WebCT WebCT Vista Saba Learning Enterprise Saba Software Saba Learning Enterprise L5 DigitalThink L5 ACADEMUS Alternativa Virtual SL ACADEMUS CLIX IMC AG CLIX Docent Enterprise Docent, Inc. Docent Enterprise Blackboard Learning System Blackboard, Inc. Blackboard Learning System

30. www.feenix.co.uk Content Providers Integrated with WBT Manager

31. http://www.feenix.co.uk Differences Pros Cons and Gotchas

32. www.feenix.co.uk What AICC and SCORM Do: Enable Interoperability How LMS launches learning object (or asset – SCORM only) How data is communicated between LMS and learning object Learning Object LMS

33. www.feenix.co.uk What AICC and SCORM Do: Enable Interoperability LMS A Define a common format for packaging content to enable interchange between LMSs and LCMSs LMS B LCMS ALCMS B

34. www.feenix.co.uk Curricular Taxonomies SCORM –Content Aggregation A group of learning resources –Sharable content object SCORM’s LO –Asset E.g. Media – video, graphics sound AICC – Course – Instructional Block – Assignable Unit (AU) - Lesson AICC’s LO Set of named hierarchical learning levels

35. www.feenix.co.uk AICC/SCORM in Short What’s the difference? AICC – CMI Specification Two communication methods HACP ( HTTP-based AICC CMI Protocol) JavaScript API (application programming interface) Has had certification testing for LMS/content/tools since 1999 Doesn’t specify meta-data to describe LOs or course structures SCORM 1.2 JavaScript API only Certification has only been available since 2003 Meta-data specification for LOs (optional) Meta-data specification for content packaging

36. www.feenix.co.uk SCORM

37. www.feenix.co.uk Descriptive Wrapper

38. www.feenix.co.uk API & HACP

39. www.feenix.co.uk Pros Cons & Gotchas CharacteristicsAPIHACP Standards compliance AICC, SCORM AICC Certification available Yes, only just Yes Track RecordShorterLonger RobustnessGoodBetter Potential for growthMoreLess Likelihood of significant changes to spec.MoreLess Implementation base (LMS and courseware)NarrowerBroader Easy to use for courseware developmentYesNo Potential problems with firewalls and browsersYesNo Works with content on any serverNOYes Fully compatible with HTML and JavaScript lessonYesNo

40. www.feenix.co.uk Firewall and security problems A significant number of LMS vendors implement the API as a Java applet that runs on the student browser. Java applets tend to be seen as a security risk and many firewalls block them entirely, some IT departments configure the browsers to disable support for Java. HACP does not have this problem.

41. www.feenix.co.uk Works with any content server? The “gotcha” for the API is the result of a built in security feature with Internet Explorer (IE). If: – your learning content is not in the same domain as your LMS some content providers suggest that the content stay on their own severs and your organisation’s LMS is just pointed to it –the content uses API –the student is using an IE browser then no communication will take place. Options: –use HACP instead of API –Use Netscape –SCORM development committees have published a document detailing some technical ‘work-arounds’ in Oct 2003

42. www.feenix.co.uk Fully compatible with HTML plus JavaScript content? The HACP “gotcha” is that two way communication is not possible with content created with HTML plus JavaScript because although JavaScript (the programming language built into most Web Browsers) can readily send data to the LMS in the required HACP format, it cannot receive the HACP messages that the LMS returns, so for example ‘booking marking’ it not possible.

43. http://www.feenix.co.uk Standards Data Model Core Optional

44. www.feenix.co.uk Core Data Model Student ID Student name Lesson location Credit Lesson Mode Lesson status Path Score Time The following data is sent to a lesson when it is launched. Similar data is returned to the LMS when the lesson completes. Note: SCORM has a slightly reduced data model overall

45. www.feenix.co.uk Example 1: Student ID Definition: An identifier for the student that is unique within the LMS system. Direction of travel: LMS to lesson only –AICC HACP name: Student_ID –AICC API name: cmi.core.student_id –SCORM API name: cmi.core.student_id

46. www.feenix.co.uk Example 2: Lesson Location Definition: A mechanism for lessons to report the point at which the student exited, primarily to serve as a bookmark. Direction of travel: Lesson to LMS; LMS to lesson –AICC HACP name: Lesson_Location –AICC API name: cmi.core.lesson_location –SCORM API name: cmi.core.lesson_location

47. www.feenix.co.uk Optional Data Model Elements - Grouped Core –Mandatory plus lesson mode (browsing.reviewing) Comments –Brief free-form test comments: LMS can send comments from admin + LO can send comments from the learner Evaluation –Used for evaluation the effectiveness of the LO –not included in the SCORM data set Objectives –Records scores and status info for identified learning objectives Student data –E.g. mastery score, time limit, action if time limit exceeded. –AICC also tracks info about multiple attempts Student demographics –Background info about the learner –Not included in the SCORM data set Student preferences –For presentation of LO, appearance, sound, language etc.

48. www.feenix.co.uk Example 1: Attempt Number Definition: This AICC-only element indicates the number of times a student has previously entered the lesson. The LMS initializes this value to "0" the first time the student enters the lesson and increments it on each subsequent entry. The lesson determines how, if at all, this value is used. Direction of travel: Lesson to LMS; LMS to lesson –AICC HACP name: Attempt_Number –AICC API name: cmi.student_data.attempt_number –SCORM API name: not supported

49. www.feenix.co.uk Example 2: Objective Status Definition: The student's current status in the objective. Objectives Status may be set to one of six defined values: Not Attempted, Browsed, Incomplete, Completed, Passed, or Failed. Direction of travel: LMS to lesson; lesson to LMS –AICC HACP name: Objectives_Status.n –AICC API name: cmi.objectives.n.status –SCORM API name: cmi.objectives.n.status

50. www.feenix.co.uk Demo of optional elements Tracking and Reports –Objectives –Interactive –Prerequisites –Completion requirements

51. www.feenix.co.uk Future - SCORM 1.3 The introduction of simple sequencing. –LMSs will sequence learning activities at the time of delivery, based upon learner’s results progress to date behaviours specified externally to the learning content. –Different sequencing behaviour can be applied to the same piece of content when it is used in different contexts. first step to truly individualized and adaptive learning delivery, gives Instructional Designers the same level of sequencing control that was typical in CBT (Computer Based Training). All data elements will be mandatory for implementation by LMSs. –This will simplify the selection of LMSs for purchasers and the development of content that is intended to run in a variety of LMSs.

52. http://www.feenix.co.uk Things you need to know…. LMS Content

53. www.feenix.co.uk LMS To what version is the LMS certified? –N.B certification only available to SCORM 1.2 –Legacy support for SCORM 1.1? What data elements will be tracked by the LMS? –AICC Core Optional –Scorm Core Optional What is the cost of customisation of front end and reporting

54. www.feenix.co.uk Content Vendors What version of SCORM is the content compliant with? What data elements are being tracked currently When is the data being sent? –Exit –What if? Network connection is lost, computer crash, learner forgets to exit and a time-out occurs. –How critical is the data e.g. score sent immediately, time not so critical –Bookmarking? –How many database hits can you afford? – Server capacity

55. www.feenix.co.uk Up to Date Information AICC CMI Subcommittee (Hyde, J., chair) CMI Guidelines for Interoperability –Available at http://www.aicc.orghttp://www.aicc.org Dodds,P., Ed., Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM): The SCORM Run-Time Environment, version 1.2 –Available at http://www.adlnet.orghttp://www.adlnet.org Website to the book –http://www.elearning-standards.com

56. www.feenix.co.uk E-Learning Standards Book E-Learning Standards A Guide to Purchasing, Developing and Deploying E-Learning Standards By Carol Fallon and Sharon Brown St. Lucie Press Published November 15 th 2002

57. www.feenix.co.uk Have we covered everything? –E-learning background and definitions –Quality considerations Best Practise Case studies Lessons learned –Standards AICC and SCORM –References