Towards a learning path specification

José Janssen, Adriana Berlanga, Hubert Vogten, Rob

Koper – Open University of The Netherlands

TENCompetence WorkshopBarcelona 21-22 June 2007

Four topics:

1. Why we need a learning path specification

2. Requirements

3. Existing approaches

4. Initial model

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Ambition: European Area of lifelong learning

Need: support learners in comparing and choosing from available options

Requires: uniform, meaningful way to describe learning paths

1. Why we need a learning path specification

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Progress made:

- General guidelines - QAA - ECTS workload and learning outcomes

- National, European, global portals

- Metadata applications

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1. Why we need a learning path specification

1. Why we need a learning path specification

Metadata applications

– CUBER-project: IEEE LOM extensions for instance: schedule information, learning

objectives, teaching method, study guidance

– Course Description Metadata standardization of course unit description / establishment of national and international course catalogues, course portals

1. Why we need a learning path specification

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But:

- focus on formal learning

- focus on subject

- focus on catalogue information/providers

1. Why we need a learning path specification

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Requirements for a learning path specification

• Modular composition (built from units)• Nested composition (composed of other learning

paths)• Learning outcomes • Entry requirements • Selection (mandatory and optional elements)• Sequencing (fixed order)

2. Requirements

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• Temporal coordination (parallel programming)• Completion (specification of requirements for

completion• Conditional composition (conditions to

include/exclude)• Substitution (which units might be replaced and

criteria for the substitute) • Formality (automatic processing)• Interoperability (different support systems)

2. Requirements

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Existing specifications for curriculum

modelling (XCRI) and learning design

(IMS-LD)

3. Can we use existing approaches

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4. Initial model

Further information:

http://dspace.ou.nl/handle/1820/953

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Competence A: learning path 1, 2, 3, 4

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Competence profile X

Action

Sequence

Selection

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Q A