MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 1 The document type XLML and its LMS integration Fred Neumann FIM-NeuesLernen

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 2 FIM-NewLearning Institution of the University Erlangen Founded 1975 to establish an Open Learning System in Psychology Since 1992 eLearning projects for different target groups applied research; development, evaluation Today: appr. 45 Employees Interdisciplinary team Currently about 20 projects

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 3 The project eL3 Aim Development and testing of an eLearning training for in service teachers and student teachers of all school types and subjects Teachers get competencies on ICT in a subject context Basic data BMBF funded project Run time: Partners: University Erlangen & University Oldenburg Over 600 participants

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 4 Technical constraints of eL3 Shared content creation by non technical authors exchange and adaptation to subject contexts Separate usage Oldenburg: Hyperwave Erlangen: ILIAS Source format independent from LMS open for further extensions or conversions => XML based document type

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 5 XLML: eXtended Logical Markup Language XML document type for manual creation author oriented text editor can be used WYSYWIG XML editor recommended Modular XHTML as basis well-known elements extensible, configurable Additional elements structuring specially treated content name-based linking bibliography and glossary Compromise between structuring and flexibility

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 6 Example of an XLML file

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 7 Structure of XLML LML Flow Ref Block TableOfContents Ref_LogoOwner Ref_LogoSubject FullWidthPage Section PText Link InlineImage PImage BlkStrucBlkSideBlkMisc Image Prep IncludeConst MetaInf Author PrepMetaInf XHTML-BlockBlock Inline MetaInf PIcon Modifier Audio Video GlossaryBibliography Prep BlkMisc XHTML LinkButton

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 8 Publishing process ILIAS Version ILIAS Version Offline- Version Offline- Version XM L XM L XlmlGen ILIAS SCORM packag e SCORM packag e ini

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 9 Demo Content

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 10 Authoring aspects Acceptance initial training and technical support document oriented XML editor offline working preview generation with error checks Living development new features according authors' needs complexity grew Content modularity and reusage copy/paste and adaptation element namespaces for linking between modules currently no repository, but usage possible

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 11 Transformations From / to OpenOffice Conversion from OO in use  To convert textual documents just as a basis for editing Experimental conversion to OO  To allow manual improvement of printout versions  Fully automated pdf creation may get weak results No round-trip possible Trials to use OpenOffice as XLML editor  Weak XML support in OpenOffice Other XML based document typs DocBook ? Different structure philosophy "special features" may get lost

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 12 LMS Integration aspects Table of Contents Provided by LMS or content module Navigation and linking Tracking by LMS Links between modules Print Version Generated by LMS or uploaded Searching Keywords, fulltext Notes and discussions Assigned to which level Shown with content? Interactivities Storage of data, tutoring, collaboration

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 13 XLML LMS Integration Hyperwave: Built-in import used Manual re-editing of generated ToC ILIAS: special page generation  Link adaptation to target platform special import package  generated HTML pages  all additional resources  structure information in a CVS file Patch for XLML support

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 14 XLML ILIAS Integration Advantages easy to use upload, reload and deletion preserved original layout and behaviour Support for the content oriented features  toc, printout, notes, tracking, fulltext search Limitations no editing of uploaded content reload only if structure unchanged target specific content packages Alternatives XML import IMS Content Packages ADL SCORM

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 15 ADL SCORM Reference model for sharable content For import to LMS, not for exchange of sources! Asset: basic content piece SCO: „Sharable Content Object“ Should be independent, no links between SCOs! Granularity ? SCORM 1.2 LOM meta data IMS content packages AICC runtime API and data model Weak navigation facilities SCORM 1.3 (2004) IMS simple sequencing Complex navigation rules

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 16 XLML SCORM Content Packages Multiple SCOs, e.g. for chapters LMS provides ToC and navigation Separate run-time data for each SCO Not possible for XLML due to linking problem One big SCO with multiple assets Content has to provide ToC and navigation Only one run-time data set Realized for XLML No SCO, multiple assets No run-time data Not better than IMS Content Package Realized for XLML

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 17 Current Status Milestones development started in autumn 2001 first ILIAS integration in summer 2002 first publication in autumn 2002 first SCORM support in autumn 2003 Usage in eL3 for around 100 learning hours, adapted to 7 school subjects Now widely used in other projects Publication as open source at

MMiSS Workshop, Bremen 2004 © FIM-NeuesLernen 2003Seite 18 Many thanks for you attention! Questions?