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Content Specifications

Content Specifications. Content Packaging Content Launch Content Runtime API Question and Test. 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

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Content Specifications

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  1. Content Specifications • Content Packaging • Content Launch • Content Runtime API • Question and Test

  2. 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

  3. Content PackagingThe 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

  4. Content PackagingPACKS 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

  5. Content PackagingA SimplePACK PACK METAD CORG DATA (Note: each data element is wrapped in a Pack)

  6. Content PackagingA CompoundPACK PACK METAD CORG PACK (Note: Packs can be wrapped in a Pack)

  7. Content PackagingThe 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

  8. Content PackagingThe METAD Element METAD Meta-data (“ims”) Meta-data (“install”) Meta-data (“launch”)

  9. Content PackagingThe 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

  10. Content PackagingThe CORG Element CORG Table of Contents 1: Historical Sequence Table of Contents 2: By Geographic Distribution Table of Contents 3: Animated Diagrams

  11. Content PackagingThe 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

  12. 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

  13. Content LaunchSolution • 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

  14. Content LaunchABindingProblem • 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. Learner Profile - PAPI • Personal (Private - name, address, email, 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

  19. Learner Profile - PAPICodings, 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.”

  20. Learner Profile - PAPI The IEEE 1484.1 Learning Technology System Architecture (LTSA) specification PAPI applies to both Individual and Groups of Learners

  21. Learner Profile - PAPISpecial account taken of: • Nomadic and Sporadic users • Distributed Systems • Lifelong Learning = distributed over time • Synchronise Local & Remote Profile Servers

  22. Learner Profile - PAPISecurity • Features specified in the context of threats • Based on: • ANSI IISP security model • the work of ISO/IEC JTC1 SC27

  23. Learner Profile - PAPISecurity Considers: • Perimeter integrity • Inbound threats (entering, changing data) • Outbound threats (taking data) • Security strength

  24. Learner Profile - PAPISecurity 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!

  25. 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

  26. Groupsthe 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

  27. GroupsSupport two functional areas • Bulk data exchange format between Systems • Run-time access to Group data by Content

  28. Groupsthe basic scheme Group • optionally contains Members • optionally contains Resources • optionally contains SubGroups

  29. Group Content IMS Package IMSMetadataItem URL IMSPackage Members IMSProfile E-Mail Sub-Groups Sub-Group 1 Sub-Group 2 GroupsElaborating the scheme

  30. GroupsSketch of schema <Group> <Members> <Teachers> … </Teachers> <Learners> … </ Learners > </Members> <Resources> … </Resources> <SubGroups> … </SubGroups> </Group>

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

  32. Admin & Support SystemsRequirements • 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, eMail, Security, Directory Services

  33. Admin & Support SystemsRequirements • 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)

  34. eCommerce • Initially: Brad Cox’s 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!

  35. eCommerce • Large vendors didn’t like it • Superdistribution seen as ‘in the future’ • New group studying existing options • No reports produced yet

  36. 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

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

  38. 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: b.olivier@bangor.ac.uk

  39. Taking IMS Further • IMS Web site: http://www.imsproject.org • Gaining full access to restricted areas, email: l.rowlands@bangor.ac.uk

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