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Appendix: FOSS tools for OER development, management and dissemination/Part Two

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< Appendix: FOSS tools for OER development, management and dissemination

1 FOSS tools to implement Learning Technology Standards in OER
2 Other pages in the FOSS tools for OER appendix
3 FOSS for OER pages and resources

[edit] FOSS tools to implement Learning Technology Standards in OER

Why are standards important?

"Standards in learning technology will have a powerful impact on the way education will work in the near future. Whether learning takes place in a classroom or over the internet, the relationships between educators, learners, and study materials will be greatly influenced by the development of standards for learning technology." From CETIS (Centre for educational technology interoperability standards.

[edit] Standards for Learning Objects

Key definitions

Content package: "A content package is used in e-learning to define some learning content or an assessment that can be delivered, for example by a Learning Management System. It's a standard way of describing learning content that can be read by many programs." From Wikipedia article on content packages (IMS CP).
Learning Object Metadata (LOM): "Learning Object Metadata is a data model, usually encoded in XML, used to describe a learning object and similar digital resources used to support learning. The purpose of learning object metadata is to support the reusability of learning objects, to aid discoverability, and to facilitate their interoperability, usually in the context of online learning management systems (LMS)." From Wikipedia article on IEEE LOM.
Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM): "The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) defines a Web-based learning "Content Aggregation Model (CAM)" and "Run-Time Environment" (RTE) for learning objects. In essence, the CAM defines how to aggregate, describe and sequence learning objects and the RTE defines the run-time communication and data to be tracked for learning objects. SCORM is a collection of specifications adapted from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive suite of e-learning capabilities that enable interoperability, accessibility and reuse of Web-based learning content." From SCORM 2004.

See also CETIS briefings on different e-learning standards.

Reload Metadata and Content Packaging Editor and Reload SCORM Player: "The key aim of the Reload project is the implementation of a reference-standard Content Package and Metadata Editor. The Reload Editor enables users to organise, aggregate and package learning objects in standard IMS and SCORM content packages tagged with Metadata (in various subsets) and vocabularies."
eXe: A simple, off-line authoring environment that enables teachers and academics to author web content without the need to become proficient in HTML or XML markup. Content generated by eXe can be used inside any Learning Management System, either as SCORM 1.2 packages, IMS Content Packages, or self-contained web sites. eXe enables users to select from predesigned instructional devices (iDevices) or create their own devices like objectives, case studies, reading activities, etc. Users can manipulate the look and feel of their published content as well as export for different display or delivery technologies.
Burrokeet: "A FLOSS initiative to produce a software tool that allows both easy authoring of content and structuring of IMS content packages in a single environment." From "A review and analysis of content authoring software in relation to eXe" by Sandy Britain.

[edit] IMS Learning Design

What is IMS Learning Design?

"IMS Learning Design is a metalanguage for describing learning designs that claims to be pedagogically neutral (according to their authors, it does not mandate a specific pedagogical approach). The specification can be likened to a stage-play: People act in different roles. Roles work towards specific objectives by performing learning and/or support activities. Activities are conducted within an environment consisting of learning objects and services. IMS LD is made up of three levels (A, B and C), with each level extending and encorporating the previous: Level A contains the core elements of the meta language. Level B enables the use of generic properties and conditions. Level C provides the ablility to use notifications (enables activities to be set dynamically)." From Wikipedia article on IMS Learning Design.

Reload Learning Design Editor: "The Learning Design Editor (based on the IMS Learning Design specifications) allows the creation of re-usable "Pedagogical Templates" allowing the user to define a set of Learning Objectives, Activities and Learning Environments. These templates can be re-purposed with the user's own content to create on-line Learning Design compliant resources."
Reload Learning Design Player: "The Learning Design Player (based on the IMS Learning Design specifications) allows the user to "play" a Unit of Learning. The user may pick any of the Roles and work through the sequence of Plays, Acts, Activities and Environments."
CopperAuthor: "CopperAuthor is a combination of an engine/core for manipulating IMS-LD and an IMS-LD editor built on top of it."
Collage (COLlaborative LeArning desiGn Editor): Collage is a high-level specialized Learning Design authoring tool for collaborative learning. "Collage helps users in the process of creating their own (collaborative) Learning Designs starting with existing patterns. These patterns are called CLFPs (Collaborative Learning Flow Patterns) and represent broadly accepted techniques that are repetitively used by collaborative learning practitioners when structuring the flow of types of learning activities involved in collaborative learning situations. That is, Collage enables an easy edition of potential effective IMS-LD Units of Learning by reusing and customizing best practices in collaborative learning structuring according to the requirements and conditions of a particular learning scenario."
LAMS (Learning Activities Management System): "LAMS is a revolutionary new tool for designing, managing and delivering online collaborative learning activities. It provides teachers with a highly intuitive visual authoring environment for creating sequences of learning activities. These activities can include a range of individual tasks, small group work and whole class activities based on both content and collaboration."
- N.B. LAMS is at the moment IMS-LD level A (only) compliant.

[edit] IMS ePortfolio

Key definitions

IMS ePortfolio specification: "The IMS ePortfolio specification was created to make ePortfolios interoperable across different systems and institutions. The ePortfolio specification: Supports the advancement of lifelong learning important to many government initiatives. Makes exchanging portfolios from school to work transitions easier. Allows educators and institutions to better track competencies. Enhances the learning experience and improves employee development."
IMS Learner Information Package (LIP): "A collection of information about a Learner (individual or group learners) or a Producer of learning content (creators, providers or vendors). The IMS Learner Information Package (IMS LIP) specification addresses the interoperability of internet-based Learner Information systems with other systems that support the Internet learning environment."
Reusable Competency Definition (LTSC-WG20 IEEE): "The purpose of this standard is to define a universally acceptable Competency Definition model to allow the creation, exchange and reuse of Competency Definition in applications such as Learning Management Systems, Competency or Skill Gap Analysis, Learner and other Competency profiles,etc. The standard is needed because there are currently many definitions of the terms "Learning Objective", "Competency" and "Skill", and very little agreement between how those definitions can be used to define reusable data models."

Open Source Portfolio (OSP): "The OSP supports portfolio-based activities by providing an environment in which a person, as a portfolio owner, is able to exhibit their work. A portfolio owner is provided tools: to collect items that best represent their accomplishments, their learning, or their work; to reflect upon these items and their connections; to design a portfolio that showcases the best selections of this work; and to publish the portfolio to a designated audience. Tools are also available for coordinators of Common Interest Groups (CIG) or program evaluators and administrators that allow users in these roles to provide structure and guidance for portfolio owners regarding portfolio development. CIG coordinators, evaluators, reviewers and portfolio guests are able to review published portfolios and provide formal evaluation or informal feedback and comments. Tools for analysis of portfolio items in aggregate also make it possible for CIG coordinators, administrators or program evaluators to measure program effectiveness or educational outcomes."
NZ ePortfolio project: "This project is a collaborative venture funded by the Ministry of Education’s e-learning Collaborative Development Fund (eCDF), involving Massey University (lead provider), the Auckland University of Technology, the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, and Victoria University of Wellington. The purpose of this joint project is to develop an electronic portfolio (ePortfolio) application for the New Zealand tertiary sector, and to provide guidelines for its effective use."
LUSID project: "LUSID enables you to: record your experiences and achievements and to reflect on them in terms of skills which might well be useful for employment; to keep a journal or log; to plan goals and activities; to perform skills audits and access skills guidance and to automatically construct your CV."
TENCompetence project: "TENCompetence will support individuals, groups and organisations in Europe in lifelong competence development by establishing the most appropriate technical and organisational infrastructure, using opensource standards-based, sustainable and innovative technology."