UK Centre Content Specifications Content Packaging Content Launch Content Runtime API Question and Test

UK Centre Content Packaging Aim: to transport Content between Systems Content can be compound and structured A Package carries its own metadata Structural and metadata info in special file Content files are flat within the package Compressed zip/JAR format

UK Centre Content Packaging The Manifest Every IMS Package has a Manifest Must be called: META-INF/MANIFEST.IMS This is a nested tree structure of sub-Packs –Allows multiple files to be aggregated The root Pack is called the Manifest

UK Centre Content Packaging PACKS Contain: one METAD element (holds metadata) one CORG element (Content Organisation) and Either: one DATA element (a Content file) Or: one or more (sub) PACK elements

UK Centre Content Packaging A Simple PACK PACK METAD CORG DATA (Note: each data element is wrapped in a Pack)

UK Centre Content Packaging A Compound PACK PACK METAD CORG PACK (Note: Packs can be wrapped in a Pack)

UK Centre Content Packaging The METAD Element Contains one or more META elements a META element contains –a TYPE –a NAME (of the metadata file) The IMS type element holds IMS meta-data Other types may be included: –install –launch

UK Centre Content Packaging The METAD Element METAD Meta-data (ims) Meta-data (install) Meta-data (launch)

UK Centre Content Packaging The CORG Element Can contain multiple TOCs a TOC can be more than a Table of Contents Can be an index, suggested paths, etc Extending to also hold active sequencers CORG elements cannot reference upwards a CORG is optional but recommended

UK Centre Content Packaging The CORG Element CORG Table of Contents 1: Historical Sequence Table of Contents 2: By Geographic Distribution Table of Contents 3: Animated Diagrams

UK Centre Content Packaging The DATA Element These are references to zipped files They are the payload of the Package The Payload files can be: –web pages, programs, any type of data file, etc. Data Elements may also reference URLs to external files

UK Centre Content Launch How do Content & LMS talk together? V0.5 used CORBA, RMI and DCOM An IMS system would have to support ALL Vendor Wars! Also large and relatively complex to –Implement –Install –Operate

UK Centre Content Launch Solution LMS initializes Content with a Proxy Proxy has an IMS defined API Content knows how to talk to Proxy Proxy knows how to talk to LMS Hides the underlying comms infrastructure IMS rises above Vendor wars

UK Centre Content Launch A Binding Problem Content implemented in various languages –HTML, JavaScript, Java, ActiveX, etc Therefore need a binding for each type –LMS needs to provide a proxy in each language –the right binding must be given to the Content Java could be a universal binder/adapter, but Vendor wars break out again.

UK Centre Content Runtime API Once communication established, need: An agreed way to communicate Proposed: A virtual tree hierarchy data schema A simple set of messages –getValue, setValue in the Data Tree –Move virtual location in data tree.

UK Centre Content Runtime API XML used for interchange format LMS translates internal data structures into XML format specified by IMS Info about learner and profile Info about content and metadata Info about state of LMS Also need info about learning group

UK Centre Learner Profile - PAPI Personal and Private Information - PAPI Also being submitted to IEEE LTSC 1484 More than record of achievement Seeking to support Intelligent Tutoring Preferences likely to become complex Work with live Content and Sequencers

UK Centre Learner Profile - PAPI Personal (Private - name, address, , etc) Preferences (Public - accessability, learning style…) Performance (Machine - performance & assessment) Portfolio (Human - work produced by the learner) Security is an important part of the PAPI spec

UK Centre Learner Profile - PAPI Codings, API & Protocols PAPI codings. A PAPI record may be coded in a PAPI coding. The data interchange is facilitated among data exchange participants by an agreed coding specification. PAPI Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The API is a control transfer mechanism (control is transferred from caller to callee) that affects data interchange. PAPI protocols. The protocols are both control transfer and data transfer mechanisms. A conforming implementation shall include one or more bindings to codings, APIs, and/or protocols.

UK Centre Learner Profile - PAPI The IEEE Learning Technology System Architecture (LTSA) specification PAPI applies to both Individual and Groups of Learners

UK Centre Learner Profile - PAPI Special account taken of: Nomadic and Sporadic users Distributed Systems Lifelong Learning = distributed over time Synchronise Local & Remote Profile Servers

UK Centre Learner Profile - PAPI Security Features specified in the context of threats Based on: – ANSI IISP security model – the work of ISO/IEC JTC1 SC27

UK Centre Learner Profile - PAPI Security Considers: Perimeter integrity Inbound threats (entering, changing data) Outbound threats (taking data) Security strength

UK Centre Learner Profile - PAPI Security Personal, Preference, Performance & Portfolio security considered under scenarios, e.g. Naming of views Who has access Unauthorized reads Unauthorized write Transfer to/from back office Discussion is informative - no solutions yet!

UK Centre Groups Set out in original IMS Requirements Part of original 0.5 spec, but dropped in 0.6 Needed for Classes and group learning Group Scope accepted at last Tech Board

UK Centre Groups the need Course Preparation and Admin Systems (Prospectus publishing and Enrolment Systems) Enrolment Systems and LMS Between Learning Management Systems Server-based and personal/portable LMS Runtime Services and multi-user Content Extend single user content to provide group access LMS and analysis systems (e.g. evaluation) enable association between person/s & content

UK Centre Groups Support two functional areas Bulk data exchange format between Systems Run-time access to Group data by Content

UK Centre Groups the basic scheme Group optionally contains Members optionally contains Resources optionally contains SubGroups

UK Centre Groups Elaborating the scheme Group Content IMS Package IMS Metadata ItemURL Members IMS Profile Sub-Groups Sub-Group 1Sub-Group 2

UK Centre Groups Sketch of schema … … … …

UK Centre Admin & Support Systems (Enterprise Systems) Main objective: integrate Admin & LMS an essential prerequisite Define a set of Messages (Transactions) Define a supporting Protocol

UK Centre Admin & Support Systems Requirements Neutral wrt Data & Function distribution Conform to IMS Data architecture & protocols Support Publish/Subscribe & Query/Response Core Messages with Minimal Required Data Extensible Support Critical Enterprise Systems: Human Resources, Student Admin, , Security, Directory Services

UK Centre Admin & Support Systems Requirements Define Messages for Basic Data & Processes Compatible with other IMS Specifications Incorporate other Standards Initiatives –SPEEDE/Express –PESC (Post Secondary Education Standards) –SIF (MS K-12 Schools Interoperability Framework)

UK Centre eCommerce Initially: Brad Coxs SuperDistribution –Supported Component approach –Aggregation / Disaggregation –Pay per use to top level vendor –Payments flow down the chain –Flexible payment policies But –needs a security chip built into every machine!

UK Centre eCommerce Large vendors didnt like it Superdistribution seen as in the future New group studying existing options No reports produced yet

UK Centre Taking IMS Further IMS Specs due Summer or Autumn 99 Still in formation period Trial and Implementation sequence: Test draft specs by implementing in Systems With tools, can develop IMS compliant Content When got systems and content, can implement Live Systems with users

UK Centre Taking IMS Further UK IMS Centre is setting up 4 Groups: Metadata Content Learning Management Systems Administrative Systems and Student Profile

UK Centre Taking IMS Further Aims: Create a group of interoperable systems Test Specs by implementing Check if any UK Requirements not met Make input into Spec development Contact:

UK Centre Taking IMS Further IMS Web site: Gaining full access to restricted areas,