www.elena-project.orgwww.prolearn-project .org

Improving LOM-Based Interoperability

of Learning Repositores

Germán M. RiveraBernd Simon

Juan QuemadaJoaquín Salvachúa

Universidad Politécnica de MadridWirtschaftsuniversität Wien

Information Society Technologies (IST) PROGRAMME

Outline

Introduction

LOM Application Profiles

The ELENA Smart Space for Learning

A LOM Application Profile for a Smart Space for Learning

Conclusions

Introduction

What do we aim?

• Overcome present lack of interoperability between learning repositories.

Application profiles and ontologies

LOM Well known standard

App. Profile Adaptation or combination of schemas

LOM+AP Good starting point to interoperate

What makes a LOM application profile?

Selects LOM elements

Specifies value restrictions

Refines LOM semantics

Specifies multiplicity constraints

Introduces required extensions

Refines the learning object notion

Possibly aim backwards compatibility

The Need for Interoperability in Smart Spaces for Learning

LOMAP initiated by Elena and extended by ProLearn.

Elena’s Smart Space for Learning:

• Network of learning repositories, which supports the personalized mediation of heterogeneous learning objects.

Corporate learners are being offered heterogeneous set of learning objects.

Shortcomings in decision effectiveness, process administration, IT infrastructure.

Need for a global view of integrated internal and external repositories.

Search based on an ontology or common data model shared by several systems.

Differentiating Learning Material from Learning Activity

LM: Consumed independently of time and location. Physical or digital good.

LA: Live events. Synchronous service.

• IMS LD and SCORM already use this concept.

• Here an LA is an autonomous entity.

The AP is conditioned by the selection criteria and the results description.

Application Profile Design

Refinement of the Learning Object Notion

• Distinguish two types of learning objects and be expressive enough for contractual purposes.

Selection of LOM elements

• Mainly for learning material.

Specification of value restrictions

• For LOM value spaces and vCard elements.

Semantics refinement

• To apply it in the Smart Space for Learning.

Specification of multiplicity constraints

• Also for each vocabulary entry.

Introduction of extensions

• Both in vocabulary and elements.

Overview of Selected Elements and Mappings

Categories (LOM, Profile):

• Rights

• General

• Metametadata

• Technical

• Classification

• Lifecycle

• Educational

• Relation and annotation

Mappings to Dublin Core and Open-Qcat.

Not used

Brokerage aspects

IdentificationLM technical aspectsVersatility

LA conceptsLO classification

Conclusion

LOM Application Profile for building Smart Spaces of Learning.

Generic process for designing LOM Application Profiles.

Distinction between Learning Material and Learning Activities.

Learning objects described for brokerage purposes.