Improving LOM-Based Interoperability of Learning Repositores Germán M. Rivera Bernd Simon Juan Quemada Joaquín Salvachúa Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Wirtschaftsuniversität 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 Identification LM technical aspects Versatility LA concepts LO 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.