Toward a Distributed Learning Object Repository Network Stephen Downes National Research Council May 2, 2002

Overview Learning Objects and Learning Object Metadata 2. Wrappers, or, How to Think About Learning Objects 3. Huge Ugly LCMSs 4. A POOL of Distributed Repositories 5. Pan-Canadian Learning Object Repositories

Learning Objects and Learning Object Metadata

2. Wrappers, or, How to Think About Learning Objects

3. Huge Ugly LCMSs

4. A POOL of Distributed Repositories

5. Pan-Canadian Learning Object Repositories

Overview (cont.) 6. The NB Connection 7. Layering Metadata on Metadata 8. A Marketplace of Services

6. The NB Connection

7. Layering Metadata on Metadata

8. A Marketplace of Services

Learning Objects and Learning Object Metadata Content – any digital resource Presumed to be educational material More likely to be self-contained Think of as more like an application than like a book chapter

Learning Objects and Learning Object Metadata

Content – any digital resource

Presumed to be educational material

More likely to be self-contained

Think of as more like an application than like a book chapter

Metadata – describes the digital resource Base on specifications – IMS – the metadata language Defined by standards - IEEE-LOM – the metadata syntax Used in application profiles – SCORM, CanCore – the metadata semantics

Base on specifications – IMS – the metadata language

Defined by standards - IEEE-LOM – the metadata syntax

Used in application profiles – SCORM, CanCore – the metadata semantics

2. Wrappers, or, How to Think About Learning Objects Learning Management Systems Wrappers

Learning Management Systems

Wrappers

Learning Management System – runs the LO Like a more flexible web browser Recording and tracking features May communicate with management systems

Like a more flexible web browser

Recording and tracking features

May communicate with management systems

Wrappers – communicate with LMS Attached to learning objects Reports start, stop, errors Turns ordinary text into a computer program

Attached to learning objects

Reports start, stop, errors

Turns ordinary text into a computer program

3. Huge Ugly LCMSs Learning Content Management Systems Learning Object Libraries

Learning Content Management Systems

Learning Object Libraries

Learning Content Management System More or less an authoring tool Provides access to learning objects Tools to organize learning objects

More or less an authoring tool

Provides access to learning objects

Tools to organize learning objects

Learning Object Libraries (LOL) The system of choice by most LCMSs Learning objects stored on site Proprietary material, proprietary formats

The system of choice by most LCMSs

Learning objects stored on site

Proprietary material, proprietary formats

4. A POOL of Distributed Repositories A Better Way POOL – LO Repository Network

A Better Way

POOL – LO Repository Network

A better way Store Learning Objects on vendors’ servers Provide access to LO metadata Deliver LO as needed to the LMS

Store Learning Objects on vendors’ servers

Provide access to LO metadata

Deliver LO as needed to the LMS

POOL – LO repository network Like the web, distributed Desktop applications Feed metadata through P2P system

Like the web, distributed

Desktop applications

Feed metadata through P2P system

5. Pan-Canadian Learning Object Repositories CANARIE Funding Project – about $3.5 million May 31 application deadline, fall start To build networks of repositories Implementation Trials and Work Packages Builds on Existing Projects Work must be coordinated Work must be CanCore compliant (But that’s a moving target, as we shall see) Canadian Repository Action Group (CRAG) Intended to maintain existing projects National Representation May submit common proposal

CANARIE Funding Project – about $3.5 million

May 31 application deadline, fall start

To build networks of repositories

Implementation Trials and Work Packages

Builds on Existing Projects

Work must be coordinated

Work must be CanCore compliant

(But that’s a moving target, as we shall see)

Canadian Repository Action Group (CRAG)

Intended to maintain existing projects

National Representation

May submit common proposal

6. The NB Connection NB’s History of Involvement Proposed NB Contribution

NB’s History of Involvement

Proposed NB Contribution

NB’s history of involvement Many E-Learning Companies in corporate, government learning TeleEducation & E-Text Centre in POOL and Cancore Many individual initiatives, eg. NBCC

Many E-Learning Companies in corporate, government learning

TeleEducation & E-Text Centre in POOL and Cancore

Many individual initiatives, eg. NBCC

Proposed NB Contribution Host learning object registry Continue work with CanCore in metadata development Provide Digital Rights Management systems

Host learning object registry

Continue work with CanCore in metadata development

Provide Digital Rights Management systems

7. Layering Metadata on Metadata Beyond IEEE, Beyond SCORM IMS, IEEE leave room for extensions (eg. Classification) These extensions refer to additional specifications, schemas Allows for more detailed descriptions of learning objects Example: classification of subject material Refer to external classification system, eg. Library of Congress Assign LoC classification number to Learning Object Allows LoC based searches, curricula, etc.

Beyond IEEE, Beyond SCORM

IMS, IEEE leave room for extensions (eg. Classification)

These extensions refer to additional specifications, schemas

Allows for more detailed descriptions of learning objects

Example: classification of subject material

Refer to external classification system, eg. Library of Congress

Assign LoC classification number to Learning Object

Allows LoC based searches, curricula, etc.

8. A Marketplace of Services Core idea – allow multiple parties to describe learning objects Third party information essential, eg., in evaluating Third party metadata refers to object (through registry index) This info used (if desired) by the LO consumer

Core idea – allow multiple parties to describe learning objects

Third party information essential, eg., in evaluating

Third party metadata refers to object (through registry index)

This info used (if desired) by the LO consumer

Some Third Party Services Classification by professional associations or libraries Rankings or evaluations by the Siskel and Ebert of Learning Objects Assignment of payment or DRM information

Classification by professional associations or libraries

Rankings or evaluations by the Siskel and Ebert of Learning Objects

Assignment of payment or DRM information