Open Standards for Course Packaging

Open standards are evolving to allow digital learning content (e.g., media, text, exams) to be used within all learning management systems (LMS) or student information system (SIS). This module will introduce you to some of the main standards.

 

 

Kelly, B., Wilson, S. & Metcalfe, R. (2007) note the following characteristics of open standards:

• Development  and ongoing maintenance is the responsibility of a trusted neutral organization
• Involvement is open to all
• No discriminatory barriers to use
• Access is available to all, without financial barriers

Kelly, B., Wilson, S. and Metcalfe, R. ELPUB2007, Openness in Digital Publishing: Awareness, Discovery and Access - Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Electronic Publishing held in Vienna, Austria 13-15 June 2007 / Edited by: Leslie Chan and Bob Martens. ISBN 978-3-85437-292-9, 2007, pp. 161-174 http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/web-focus/papers/elpub-2007/

Kelly, B., Wilson, S. & Metcalfe, R. (2007) note several:

• Support interoperability
• Maximize access for users
• Provide application- and device-independence
• Ensure architectural integrity
• Provide long-term access to resources and services
• Others include:
• Cost savings
• Sharing across institutions/organizations

Kelly, B., Wilson, S. and Metcalfe, R. ELPUB2007, Openness in Digital Publishing: Awareness, Discovery and Access - Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Electronic Publishing held in Vienna, Austria 13-15 June 2007 / Edited by: Leslie Chan and Bob Martens. ISBN 978-3-85437-292-9, 2007, pp. 161-174 http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/web-focus/papers/elpub-2007/

http://www.imsglobal.org

• Started in1997, IMS came within the National Learning Infrastructure Initiative of EDUCAUSE
• 47% of member organizations are outside the U.S.
• IMS Packaging allows organizations to develop courses that work across multiple e-Learning platforms
• IMS specifications, deal with "distributed learning" in online and off-line settings
• IMS standards are available free of charge
• Packaging models (e.g. Common Cartridge and SCORM) are based on IMS

 

Image Credit: IMS Common Cartridge Nigel Ward IDEA Lab 2007 

http://www.imsglobal.org/commoncartridge.html

• Developed by IMS Global Learning Consortium
• Supports packaging of digital course materials and is not a replacement for SCORM.
• SCORM Content can be converted to Common Cartridges with a conversion package available to members.
• Based on IMS Content Packaging v 1.2
• Authoring Tool eXe

Integrates:

• IEEE LOM v1.0
• Uses newer IMS Content Packaging v1.1.4
• IMS Question & Test Interoperability v1.2.1
• IMS Authorization Web Service v1.0
• IMS Tools Interoperability Guidelines v1.0
• SCORM 2004

 

Explore a Common Cartridge Package at Open Learn

Introducing Social Work Practice

http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/K113_1

You will see a download link in the navigation menu. Click the link and choose Common Cartridge package.

 

 

Moodle is currently developing IMS Common Cartridge support for both Moodle 1.9 and upcoming Moodle 2.0. Some identified milestones are completed but it seems the project is not yet complete. For more information read: http://docs.moodle.org/en/Development:IMS_common_cartridge_Implementation_plan

SCORM also allows organizations to develop courses that work across multiple e-Learning platforms.
SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) http://www.adlnet.gov

• Uses JavaScript interface
• SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 - 2004 contains "sequencing and navigation" – Note: Not yet supported in many systems (e.g.,  Moodle)
• Based on a older version of IMS Content Packaging, v1.1.4
• SCORM is supported within eXe, Adobe Captivate Software, Camtasia and others.

SCORM format

Moodle will support SCORM packages. A package can be imported into Moodle as a content type of as a course format. 

TIP from Moodle: "If you have a large SCORM object you want to use as an entire course, then you can select this course format and students will only be able to interact with the SCORM object, not the rest of the Moodle tools."

Information Source: http://docs.moodle.org/en/Course_formats#Standard_course_formats