IEEE P1484.12 LTSC Learning Object Metadata (LOM) Wayne Hodgins – Chair

1. IEEE P1484.12 LTSC Learning Object Metadata (LOM) Wayne Hodgins – Chair Erik Duval – Technical Editor CEN/ISSS + LTSC Meetings Madrid, Spain January 27, 2004

2. Session Overview: • Review of Learning Object Metadata standards • Related activities • Future directions • Discussion, Questions, Suggestions

3. LOM is a multi-part standard • 1484.12.1 • Standard for Learning Object Metadata Data Model • P1484.12.3 • Standard for XML binding for Learning Object Metadata P1484.12.1 data model • Erik Duval • P1484.12.4 • Standard for RDF binding for Learning Object Metadata P1484.12.1 Data Model • Jon Mason & Mikael Nillson

4. IEEE 1484.12.1 LOM Data Model • 1484.12.1 LOM data model • v1.0 now a full IEEE accredited standard • June 13, 2002 • Bindings of the data model • ISO JTC1/SC36 New Work Proposal • Widely adopted: • ADL SCORM, ARIADNE, ALIC, IMS……… • What’s next for the data model??

5. P1484.12.3 XML binding of LOM • Lead = Erik Duval • PAR approved 2000-12-07 • ARIADNE & IMS created first version of an XML DTD.  • This and some explanatory documentation is now posted at: http://www.cs.kuleuven.ac.be/~erikd/LOM/DTDv1/LOMv1.0DTD.html • Working Group formed May, 2002 • First Ballot completed April, 2003 • BRC formed and actively meeting • Next recirculation ballot expected Feb/March 04

6. LOM XML WG Update • Goal: interoperable LOM instances • Mechanism: • XML Schema Definition (.xsd) • Trade-offs in what you can express => set of component xsd’s that can be put together in different constellations • Adds to LOM Data Model • XML data element name (“<general>”) • Vocabulary tokens (“atomic”)

7. P1484.12.4 RDF Binding of LOM • Lead = Jon Mason • PAR approved 2002-03-07 • Extensive work by Mikael Nilsson • Development proceeding well; • Integration with Dublin Core • Existing Implementations • Deciding on best directions and focus: • IEEE Standard or Recommendation? • Use of XML?

8. Standards Draft Writing Process Write Scope & Purpose See Related Stds. & Pubs P1484.12.2 + 12.3 + 12.4 are HERE Draft Outline P1484.12.3 XML is HERE Fill in Outline Revise, Revise, Revise P1484.12.1 is finished Finalize Document

9. IEEE Standards Development Process Idea for Standard Develop & Approve PAR P1484.12. 2 + 4 are HERE Organize Working Group P1484.12.3 XML is HERE Develop Draft Standard Ballot Draft Standard 1484.12.1 is HERE (published std.) Approve Draft Standard Publish Approved Standard

10. IEEE 1484.12 LOM Position Statement • The IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee (LTSC) has been providing for the development and maintenance of the Learning Object Metadata (LOM) standard since 1997. • This process has been and continues to be an international effort with the active participation on the LOM Working Group by members representing more than 15 countries. • Most recently, June 12, 2002, this resulted in the first IEEE accredited standard to be completed by LTSC, the 1484.12.1 LOM data model standard. • This is the fist of a multi-part standard for Learning Object Metadata which LTSC LOM is responsible for maintaining, developing and evolving. • This responsibility is being fulfilled by current work on bindings of the data model standard and includes developing further versions of the data model standard.

11. LOM Position Statement (cont’d) • Although the IEEE standard has been well received, recognized and adopted internationally, adoption of the standard is in its early stages. • For this reason, the LTSC is interested in avoiding any conditions that create the perception or reality of conflicting or multiple standards being developed for the same purpose. • Furthermore, any additional work should take into consideration current implementations to avoid creating unnecessary interoperability issues. • Therefore the Learning Object Metadata working group proposes that similar activity concerning the scope and purpose of its efforts continue to be coordinated through the Learning Technology Standards Committee. • The IEEE LTSC deeply appreciates the expression of interest in cooperation by all interested parties such as those expressed by ISO/IEC JTC1/SC36 and equally appreciates the excellent technical comments made by SC36 members. • The IEEE LTSC therefore invites the participation of members of national bodies represented in SC36 in the maintenance and revision of the LOM standard and is committed to facilitating this.

13. LOM: Related Activities • CORES • resolution to assign unique identifiers via URI to metadata elements • XML binding group working on URI implementation plan • Ottawa Communiqué • Abstract model • Mappings & Crosswalks • FAQ • Futures • ISO JTC1 SC36 • Awaiting response to proposal to do a Joint Committee • OCLC/DCMI • Joint event 11-14 October 2004, Shanghai • Identifiers • CETIS, TSO, ADL, OCLC, etc.

14. LOM Data Model Priorities: • Requirements gathering • protect existing implementations • Point release for “chaffing points” • From existing practice, from binding implementations, etc. • 2.0 release to reconsider what is meant by LO and/or metadata • Explore other use cases for metadata • Requirement gathering • Investigate other types of LOM (metadata) • structural, people, relational • Leave LOM v1 alone, facilitate implementations, gather requirements • Study groups for large scale future activity

15. Future of LOM? • Name change? • Keep the definition, expand it even? • Modularizing LOM? • eg>. Each category becomes a “part” of the standard • Other forms of or specific types of metadata? • Structural, relational, people, etc. • Where, when, how to cover “relationships” between “assets” • Leading to such things as Pattern recognition • Ties to sequencing? • Metadata for Static vs Dynamic objects • Addressing “Subjective metadata”? • Respecting existing implementations • Recommendations from CEN/ISSS?

16. Discussion, Questions, Suggestions?? • (to be filled in from meeting comments)

17. THANK YOU!Questions? www.ltsc.ieee.org wayne.hodgins@autodesk.com Erik.Duval@cs.kuleuven.ac.be

18. Remarks on IEEE LTSC Process • Meetings are open to anyone with a material interest • Participation is welcome, whether or not you join the LTSC • Membership (with voting privileges) is • Annual • On an individual basis only (not by organization or national body) • Costs $200 per year for LTSC • IEEE (or IEEE CS) membership and Standards Association Membership required for participation in formal balloting (Extra $110 per year) • Most work done via conference calls • Times arranged for international participation (to the extent possible) • Face-to-face meetings have enabled for remote participation • Active participation possible without extensive travel • SC36 participants are welcome and encouraged to participate in WG’s and as LTSC members

19. OTHER STATUS UPDATES • LTSC pursuing a program with IEEE that will • allow all LSTC standards to be obtained free of charge • remove obstacles concerning translations, profiles and other derived works. • Status of this “no cost standards” effort • Currently in fund-raising phase • Contact is Brian Taliesin, LTSC treasurer (briata@microsoft.com) • Updates will be sent to SC36 through liaison • LTSC launching new Web site and collaborative environment. • Notification will be sent to SC36 through liaison • Contact: Chad Kainz, LTSC Vice Chair, cjkainz@uchicago.edu.

20. LTSC Contact Information • LTSC Chair and SC36 Liaison • Robby Robson • rrobson@eduworks.com • Phone: +1 541 754 1215 • Mobile: +1 541 908 9888 • Other Officers • Vice Chair: Chad Kainz (cjkainz@uchicago.edu) • Secretary: Debbie Brown (debbie@cett.msstate.edu) • Treasurer: Brian Taliesin (briata@microsoft.com) • Information Officer: Mike Fore (Mike.Fore@atsc.army.mil) • Feel free to contact WG chairs directly • Web site: ltsc.ieee.org (look for updates!)