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Towards Open Standards: The Evolution of an XML/JSP/WebDAV Based Collaborative Courseware Generating System
Abstract
In this paper we present the evolution of a collaborative courseware generating system that is featured by XML-based course
structure representation, JSP-based dynamic courseware presentation, and WebDAV-based collaborative courseware authoring.
While the first system implementation employs a proprietary design that uses a self-defined XML DTD to represent course structure,
the second and the third system implementation take an open standard based approach, which are respectively SCORM 1.1 and
SCORM 1.2 conformant. In the latter two implementations, all learning resources contained in an existing Java course are re-designed
according to the SCORM 1.1 and SCORM 1.2 Content Model and further annotated with corresponding SCORM metadata. In addition,
the course structure is re-constructed utilizing SCORM 1.1 Content Structure Format and SCORM 1.2 Content Packaging Specification.
The evolution of the collaborative courseware generating system is motivated by our efforts to improve the reusability and
interoperability of learning resources.
... The emergence of learning standards made a significant impact on the evolution of elearning systems. It therefore comes as no surprise that there are standards for various aspects of e-learning, ranging from content packaging to learner profiles [1,2,3]. Such standards are based heavily on XML [4] and have been adopted by numerous learning standards consortia [5]. ...
Web-based Learning has been accelerated by advances in Internet technologies as well as by the introduction of learning standards. With this comes the need to ensure learners follow a prescribed path in their learning. Many Learning Management Systems (LMS) have a Computer Managed Instruction component (CMI) for tracking and sequencing needs. The ability to share and use such information among different LMSs is vital. This paper describes the development of a CMI system that extends the IMS Simple Sequencing Specifications. The system facilitates the creation of sequences and more significantly, it allows these sequences to be ported to other Learning Management Systems via XML. The Sharable Content Object Reference Model Run-Time Environment version 1.3 by the Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative was extensively modified as a prototype of this CMI system.
... A work [2] is closest to our idea to use some E-learning standard, but the aim is to create a new adaptive LMS compatible with IMS [3] standard. Another possible approach is an architecture based on open standards [4], where a structure of course is represented by the SCORM [5] structure. With using the SCORM deals also work [6], where an enrichment of contemporary standards by support of adaptivity is discussed. ...
An E-learning adaptive hypermedia system stores information describing the student and adapts its output in accord to this information by defined rules of adaptation. We can adapt user interface of web application, a way the information is presented to user, or the information itself. Using this approach, ergonomic quality and effectiveness of web applications can be improved. In this paper, we deal with pilot project of server providing AICC-compliant adaptive E-learning courses. The main contribution of this approach is to make adaptive E-learning content compliant to contemporary widespread E-learning standards. By presented approach, adaptive E-learning courses can be accessed form an existing LMS (Learning Management System) without a necessity to change the existing implementation of LMS.
... Learning standards took off with the emergence of XML [1] and numerous learning standards consortia [2]. Today, there are standards that influence various aspects of e-learning ranging from content packaging to learner profiles [3,4,5]. Currently, most of the learning specifications are represented in XML format due to the widespread availability of related tools and the selfdescribing nature of XML. ...
Web-based Learning has been accelerated by advances in Internet technologies as well as by the introduction of learning standards. This paper describes the development of an online assessment system that conforms to the IMS Question and Test Specifications by the IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc. The system facilitates the creation of assessments and more significantly, it allows these assessments to be ported to other conformant Learning Management Systems. The system comprises of an authoring module, a viewer program to display the questions online and an assessment component via which users may execute the tests. The Sharable Content Object Reference Model Run-Time Environment version 1.2.1 by the Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative is used as the reference Learning Management System for integration with the assessment system.
... [18] discusses several deficiencies of SCORM concerning reusable learning contents and WBT. [19] presents the design and implementation of a SCORM conformant CS courseware, and [20] narrates the SCORM conformant redesigning and upgrading of a collaborative courseware generating system. [21] proposes a method for separating the presentation of a SCO from its content, allowing multiple SCOs from multiple origins to be combined in a single unified learning experience. ...
Standardized learning management systems and contents are becoming prevalent over time with the growing adoption of Web-based learning technologies. The complexity adherent in the SCORM run-time environment APIs and data model, however, makes it difficult for instructional designers, content developers and LMS vendors to tailor their contents and LMSs for the SCORM model. In this paper, our own practice of the SCORM model is presented. We firstly propose our architecture for E-Learning applications. Being LMS-centered, the architecture seeks to bridge the gap between conformant LMSs and diverse learning contents. To highlight our design, we present a comprehensive LMS implementation with extended data elements adapted to meet the needs of college education. Moreover, we detail a systematic method of turning existing HTML-based courseware into SCORM conformant contents. The last part of this paper discusses technical and pedagogical issues of concern regarding the learning scenarios of SCORM in different learning environments and the accordingly tuning of the LMSs.
Providing interoperability by using standards and specifications for E-learning resources is an important element of the virtual learning environments (VLEs). In this context, a large number of international organizations develop specifications that provide principles for reaching a common “language” to be used in exchanging resources among the virtual university. In this paper we turn your attention to an approach and reference for providing interoperability in different standards. The establishment of E-learning standards has promised to improve interoperability between E-learning systems, but can only be done through enforcement of these standards. Many existing E-learning systems are built on top of relational databases, and it is possible a framework which matches XML Schemas (from learning standards) and relational schemas semi-automatically. This type of framework can provide translation between learning objects and relational databases as well as an interface to manually refine existing schema mappings. The focus is E-learning standardization and synchronization in the international and national levels. The work presents a brief updated review and it presents some new challenges, concerning the E-learning standardization processes. This research is in the area of E-learning standardization and issue is one aspect of great interest for all organizations, authorities and experts working in the field of education. Moreover, the most recognized approaches are introduced in order to improve and optimize the management of the E-learning processes. While the establishment of E-learning standards has promised to improve interoperability between E-learning systems, and obviously, this can only be done through enforcement of E-learning standards and E-learning standardization processes. The aim of this work is to discover the useful E-learning technologies as technological tools for teaching. Therefore, teachers must keep in mind clearly that they must optimize teaching by means of them, such as an improvement of quality education for current society in terms of competences, as connections with the current reality that students spent long hours using them. It starts with a brief background to worldwide standardization activities in the field of educational technologies as means of enhancing the accessibility, interoperability, durability, reusability and efficiency of E-learning resources, but more important new demands and problems to be tackled are reviewed. Finally, experimental dates from studies have shown that it is useful a framework that also provides translation between learning objects and relational databases, as well as an interface to manually refine existing schema mappings.
Thesis (M. Eng.)--Nanyang Technological University, School of Computer Engineering, 2004.
Today, with the use of global cooperation in education, more and more courses are given directly on the Web in a collaborative manner among geographically dispersed universities. Consequently, Web-based courseware generation is becoming increasingly complicated as this cooperation also introduces additional challenges for the courseware authoring and publishing process. In this paper, we present a courseware generating system which focuses on facilitating the courseware generating process taking advantage of recent Internet protocols and industry standards. We adopt a collaboration-friendly Internet protocol, WebDAV, to support collaborative courseware authoring, XML to represent meta-data of course contents, and JSP to realize dynamic courseware presentation. With its simple syntax, XML can on the one hand simplify the courseware authoring process in company with WebDAV, on the other hand, as a neutral meta-language, it can also separate course contents from courseware presentation in company with JSP.
In this paper we present our design and implementation of a SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model)- conformant CS courseware based on the latest SCORM specification 1.2, released by ADL (Advanced Distributed Learning) on Oct. 1, 2001. All learning resources contained in an existing Java course are re-designed according to the SCORM Content Model and further described with corresponding Assets-, SCO-, and Content Aggregation metadata. Also the course structure is reconstructed based on the SCORM Content Packaging specification, which provides a standardized way to represent the aggregation of learning resources and further exchange them between different learning management systems. Moreover, a Web-based SCORM Run-Time Environment is implemented utilizing Java Server Pages, Java Servlet, and JavaScript, which is able to dynamically render the course structure into its Web presentation on the basis of pre-defined SCORM Content Packaging Application Profile. Our SCORM-conformant development actually constitutes an early exploration to the great potential of the SCORM specification.
IMS Content Packaging Specification V1.1.2
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JSR 31: XML Data Binding Specification
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SCORM Specification V1.1. http://www
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ADL Technical Team: SCORM Specification V1.1. http://www.adlnet.org
2. ADL Technical Team: SCORM Specification V1.2. http://www.adlnet.org