A Standard and an eLearning Platformfor LEMAIA: SCORM and Moodle

Antonio De Nicola

AGENDA

eLearning Basic Concepts

SCORM (Sharable Content

Object Reference Model )

Moodle

eLearning Basic Concepts

e-Learning

e-learning refers to computer-enhanced learning (but it considers also other electronic devices like PDAs, cells, ..)

It includes the use of: web-based teaching materials, multimedia CD-

ROMs or web sites, discussion boards, collaborative software, e-mail, blogs, wikis, text chat, computer aided assessment, simulations, games, learning management software, electronic voting systems and more.

eLearning Issues

Standardization and eLearning content reusability

moving courses from one Learning Management System to another

reusing content pieces across different courses

Designing eLearning courses sequencing reusable content for branching,

remediation and other tailored strategies tailored on users

Knowledge Management searching content libraries across different LMS

envirnoments

Learning Objects

LTSC (http://ieeeltsc.org/) definition “Learning Objects are defined here as any entity, digital

or non-digital, which can be used, re-used or referenced during technology supported learning.”

Examples: multimedia content, instructional content, learning objectives, instructional software and software tools, persons, organizations, or events referenced during

technology supported learning.Wiley’s definition “Any digital resource that can be reused to support

learning” From “Connecting learning objects to instructional design

theory: a definition, a metaphor, and a taxonomy”

SCORM

ADL Initiative

ADL (Advanced Distributed Learning*) Initiative was formed as a developer and implementer of

learning technologies across the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) (1997)

public and private sectorsGoals: developing the standards, tools and learning content

for the learning environment of the future providing access to the highest-quality learning and

performance aiding that can be tailored to individual needs and delivered cost-effectively, anytime and anywhere

* http://www.adlnet.gov/index.cfm

Standard ADL SCORM

SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) a set of rules that learning management

systems (LMS) and learning content should follow to be compatible with each other

collection of standards and specifications adapted from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive suite of e-learning capabilities that enable interoperability, accessibility and reusability of Web-based learning content.

SCORM main features (1/2)

Durability the ability to withstand technology

changes over time without costly redesign, reconfiguration or recoding

Interoperability the ability to take instructional

components developed in one system and use them in another system

Accessibility the ability to locate and access

instructional components from multiple locations and deliver them to other locations

SCO: Sharable Content Object

SCORM main features (2/2)

Reusability the ability to use instructional

components in multiple applications, courses and contexts

Maintainability the ability to withstand content

evolution and changes without costly redesign, reconfiguration or recoding

Adaptability the ability to change to satisfy

differing user needs

SCORM KEY CONCEPTS

Sharable content

Communications

Sequencing

Metadata

Sharable Content

SCORM enables content to be shared through

Content Model (Assets, SCOs) Content Aggregation Content Packaging

ASSET

Elementary eLearning content Web-page Text Image Movie Sound ...

SHARABLE CONTENT OBJECTS (SCOs)

Single unit delivering eLearning content

Collection of one or more assets

Independent, self-contained, transportable package

Lowest level of granularity tracked by a LMS

Mini-applications launched from an LMS

Web-based and script-enabled

CONTENT AGGREGATION

It represents the process of content aggregation

Grouping asset/SCOs in to one or more Content Structures (Course, Chapter, Topic, …) to the end of building eLearning experiences

Content Package

ManifestDescribe the content

Describes the organization

Enumerates the resources contained

Physical filesThe actual content

Communications

SCORM enables content to interoperate with

diverse SCORM Conformant Learning

Management Systems (LMSs) through the

SCORM Run-time Environment

A LMS is a software application supporting the

managements of learning objects

The SCORM Run-time Environment defines API

which allows communications between LMS

and SCOs

Sequencing

SCORM enables the delivery of learning activities in an instructionally meaningful manner through sequencing Designers may specify sequencing

behaviors at authoring stage Activities may be sequenced at time

of delivery based on a learner’s actions or performance

Sequencing behaviors are external the content to facilitate reuse

Metadata

They describe what a content object or package contains (learning objects annotation)

They specify properties of a content object such as language or level of difficulty

They enable meaningful searches for content

In SCORM, they concern resources type (e.g., course, lesson, survey)

supporting an LMS in visualizing and storing Learning Objects

resources content (e.g., French Revoultion, II World War)

Supporting the retrieval, accessibility and re/use of LOs

Moodle

LMS: Learning Management System

eLearning software environment Main functionalities

learning-content management designing (learning-objects sequencing) execution monitoring

users management (e.g., user profiles, track of learner progress)

Es., Moodle, Spaghetti Learning, EduPlone ...

Moodle

Software package designed to support educators in creating online courses Course Management system (CMS) Learning Management System (LMS) Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Moodle Main Features

Social constructionist pedagogy (which includes collaboration, activity-based learning, critical reflection, etc)

Suitable for online classes as well as supplementing face-to-face learning

Simple, lightweight, efficient, compatible, low-tech browser interface

Categorization of courses Most text entry areas (resources, forum postings,

journal entries etc) can be edited using a capable, embedded WYSIWYG HTML editor

Moodle Technical Features

Unix, Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, Netware and any other system that supports PHP

modular easy upgrade only one database (and it can share it with

other applications if necessary) it supports many major brands of database emphasis on strong security throughout

Moodle elements (1/2)

Courses different formats (by week, by topic)

Assignments grading electronically submitted material or 'offline'

submissions Chats

real-time synchronous discussion via the web MultiChoice Questions Forums

different formats, attachments Glossaries

The entries can be searched or browsed in many different formats

Moodle elements (2/2)

Lessons usually multiple pages, ending with a multiple choice

question navigation through the lesson can be straight forward or

complex Quizzes Resources

prepared files uploaded to the course server pages edited directly in Moodle external web pages made to appear part of this course

SCORM Packages collection of specifications that enable interoperability,

accessibility and reusability of web-based learning content Surveys Wiki

collectively authored documents Workshops

The End