This webinar introduces the main concepts of the of the XAPI and discusses how it has been used in a real world scenario of the Mobler Cards App. The presentation was held as part of the SWITCH Eduhub Webinar series on 25 July 2013. The recorded Webinar is also available on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27GYG2bxdAo&feature=share&list=UUNyeKgp4RqXLhV7us28S8Mw

1. Christian Glahn
International Relations and Security Network
TinCan in
the Wild
CC http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuchodi/4044142624/

2. TinCan was the code name for the Experience API
before it was called Experience API or XAPI and
released by the ADL Initiative in January 2013.
The ADL Initiative already brought us SCORM.

3. The Big
Question
How to improve interoperability between
live tools, services and systems?

4. The not so Big
Questions
How to build with various tools and
services complex and attractive
learning environments?
How to create more exciting
learning experiences?

5. A few Words of Warning
• I will talk about prototypes and data structures.
• You need a basic understanding of
• Virtual learning environments
• Modern Web-applications
• Interoperability standards
• Interactive systems
• Sensor networks
• Indeed, I will talk about prototypes and data structures!
Things will not work with your VLE at home.
(I may help you if you ask nicely)

6. About me
• Researcher at the ISN Zurich (part of the ETHZ)
• IAmLearn Executive Board and Chair of eduhub SIG Mobile
• Thinker and doer of “educational” solutions
• Share knowledge and technologies
• Make complex technology jumping through hoops
• Hook mobile apps into legacy LMS
• Socialize web-environments
• Invent Micro Learning
• Connect mobile and ambient computing with WBT
• Create “impossible” adaptive courses with IMS LD

7. What is my business with
the Experience API?
• ISN Zurich collaborates with the ADL Co-Labs
• Research on “new delivery channels”
• Promoting ADL interoperability specifications in
European security and defense organizations
• Provide open source tools and open access
services that support the ADL interoperability
specifications

8. How to create more exciting
learning experiences?

9. Learning Experiences
• Any performance that contributes to personal
learning.
• They can involve other people.
• They can happen everywhere.
• They can include various technologies and
media.
• Measurable and quantifiable
• Contributes to evidence of learning

10. What Problem does the
XAPI Solve?
• Educational technologies are more divers than 10-15
years ago.
• Increasing number of specialized tools, services and
devices are used for learning but are hard to integrate
with VLEs on a procedural level.
• Most interoperability standards for E-learning focus on
integrated platforms and not mash-up environments.
• Emerging practices and advanced learning processes
receive little support.

11. SCORM
Learning Networks
PLE
E-Portfolios
Simulations
Games
Mobile Learning
Tangibles
Learning Badges
Adaptive OER

12. SCORM
Learning Networks
PLE
E-Portfolios
Simulations
Games
Mobile Learning
Tangibles
Learning Badges
Adaptive OER
XAPI

13. The Experience API
... is normally working under the hood of your VLE

14. Basic Anatomy
of the Specification
•Experience Streams
•Learning Record Stores

15. ActivityActivityity Activity Ac
Experience Streams
and Statements
Context
Actor
Verb
Object
Result
TimeAuthority

16. Learning Record Store (LRS)
• Storage for activity statements and streams
• Annotations for sub-system integration
• Main functions: store and query activity statements
• REST-Service API for external access
• OAuth security layer

17. The Basic Process

18. Senses
learner activity
Makes VLEs
respond
Sensor Networks

19. Senses
learner activity
Access a resource
Take a test
Post on a forum
Update a Wiki page
Upload an assignment
Output of VLE Sensors

20. GPS
Light conditions
Screen interactionNoise levels
Temperature
Tactile (shake, turn)
More Sensors
NFC
Senses
learner activity

21. Unlock a resource
Example Actuators
Makes VLEs
respond
Evaluate test scores
Provide an assignment
Update Portfolio
Message updates
Provide feedback

22. The XAPI is all about
reporting and collecting
learning experiences

23. Bringing the XAPI
into Practice
• LRS is hardly ever
stand-alone
• Almost always part of
a learning environment

24. BORING

25. How to build with various tools and
services complex and attractive
learning environments?

26. The XAPI gets more exiting
when we connect stuff!

27. Meet the Mobler Cards App

28. Loose-coupling With a VLE
• No VLE plugin
• No stand-alone app
• Fully connected to web-based courses
• Using VLE-hosted resources
• Provides personalized learning support across
multiple devices

29. XAPI Scenarios
Cascaded environments
Device synchronization
Mash-up environments

30. Cascaded Environments
Interaction
Sensors
Offline
support
Course
integration Certification

31. Device Synchronization
My iPhone
My Android Tablet

32. Mash-up Environments
iPhone
Android Tablet
PfP VLE
EDC VLE

33. How can we use these
learning experiences?
... and make something useful.
Now we have a lot of experiences in the LRS ...

34. 3 Scenarios for Mobler Cards
•Selection of test items
• Dynamic dampening function
•Statistics perspectives
• Dynamic with yard-stick
•Learning achievements
• Dynamic until achieved, then persistent

35. Learning Analytics Logic for the XAPI
Integrated
component

36. Summary
• XAPI is a new interoperability specification for
connecting live tools and services
• The XAPI defines a REST-service API and the activity
stream data-format
• It supports basic mash-up technologies for
device synchronization, cascading environments and
complex learning networks.
• Learning analytics are needed to influence the learning
experience in a complex learning environment

37. Christian Glahn
www.isn.ethz.ch
The presented research has been partially funded by the ADL
Co-Lab and awarded by the Office of Naval Research Global
(ONRG) under the grant no. N62909-12-1-7022
@phish108
slidesha.re/phish108
lo-f.at/glahn
IAMLearn.org