Knowledge Quest

One of the most often mentioned but least understood aspects of online learning is eLearning Standards. My knowledge quest took a me into the world of standards and I have summarized and presented my learning in Q&A format below. Please note, this is one of the more complicated areas surrounding the industry, and my intent was not to compile an exhaustive document, but rather a starting point to be used by individuals who desired to understand the topic more completely. Additional resources are provided at the end of this document to enable a more complete look at the topic.

  • What is eLearning?

  • The best definition that I have found for eLearning is from the Masie Center eLearning Consortium. They define it as “learning or training that is prepared, delivered, or managed using a variety of learning technologies and that can be deployed either locally or globally.”

  • What is a specification?

  • A specification, also referred to as a “spec” is a documented description. Some specifications become a standard after they have proceeded through a four-step process that includes research and development, development, testing and/or piloting, and concludes with official approval. In some industries, something cannot be sold until it receives a “stamp of approval” by the government. (i.e., electrical devices are accredited by the IEEE).

  • What is a standard?

  • A standard is a basis for comparison or a reference point against which other things can be evaluated. There are two types of standards, de jure, which means by right or by law, and de facto, which means existing in fact whether with lawful authority or not.

    While de jure standards have the force of law behind them and are certified by an accredited body, de facto standards are felt to be more powerful because they typically occur when a critical mass or majority chooses to adopt and use a specification.

  • What are some common examples of standards?

  • While many exist in the world around us, a few you may be familiar with are TCP/IP, HTTP, VHS. All of these examples are de facto standards. Ideally, a de jure standard is also de facto, which is true of HTTP.

  • Why do we need standards?

  • We have seen throughout the course of history that when standards don’t exist, conflicts quickly arise. Areas where problems surfaced due to conflict standards have ranged from the railroads (track gauge) to telecommunications (dial tones) to the entertainment industry (video tape formats). Issues generally arise when companies create proprietary technology that does not work well with others and the abundance of technologies creates confusion in the marketplace and also does not meet the needs of the consumer / end-user. As a result, the market drives leaders from business and industry, academia and the government to work together to develop common standards, which in turn allows a variety of products to co-exist. This co-existence is very important for consumers because it not only ensures that they will have access to a wider range of products but also the products they choose will have a better chance of avoiding quick obsolesence.

  • Why do we need eLearning standards?

  • In essence, the answer to this question comes down to an issue of resources. A lot of time and money has been, and will continue to be, invested into learning technologies and the development of learning content. If the systems cannot grow and be effectively sustained and maintained, and the content cannot be delivered to the learners, the resource investment will be sqandered and the technologies will be less effective in delivering the desired results.

    eLearning standards ensure the five “abilities” (1) can be met:

    1. Interoperability - can the system work with another system?
    2. Re-usability - can courseware be re-used
    3. Manageability - can a system track the appropriate information about the learner and content?
    4. Accessibility - can a learner access the appropriate content at the appropriate time?
    5. Durability - will the technology evolve with the standards to avoid obsolesence?
  • How are standards formed?

  • While it differs depending on the industry you are referring to, specific to the online learning world, it has taken place over the course of many years. Long before the term “eLearning” was coined, organizations around the world began to develop specifications for learning-related technologies such as meta-data, learner profiling, content sequencing, web-based courseware, and computer-managed instruction. The early work was done by groups such as ARIADNE in Europe, the Dublin Core, IEEE, the Aviation Industry’s CBT Committee (AICC) and the EDUCAUSE IMS Consortium.

    Initially this work was done independently and each group focused on the standards most closely related to their area of expertise or needs. More recently, the U.S. Department of Defense has assumed a leadership role in bringing these independent efforts together into more of a cohesive and consistent body of knowledge, called a Reference Model. This reference model has come to be known as SCORM or the Sharable Content Object Reference Model.

  • What is SCORM and what benefits does it promise?

  • As mentioned previously, SCORM is an acronym for the Sharable Content Object Reference Model. It is a “a unified set of core specifications for eLearning content, technologies and services”. As a result of SCORM, the fragmented approach to specification and standards creation for the eLearning industry has been organized into a collaborative and cohesive effort. Even though the effort is still in its infancy, SCORM has been able to provide evidence that existing standards and specifications can deliver on the promises of the five “abilities” referenced above. It is also the foundation on which organizations will use learning technologies to create and manage the learning environments of the future.

    It is important to note that SCORM is not a standard itself, but rather a model that is used to assess the efficacy and applicability of a collection of individual specifications and standards. SCORM works with standards bodies like the IEEE, AICC, and IMS to make sure that the individual specifications work together on a holistic level.

  • Who are the organizations that create the specifications and standards?

  • There are a number both in the U.S. and abroad, however the most prominent are the following.

    • Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL)
      The ADL is a U.S. government-sponsored organization that researches and develops specifications to encourage the adoption and advancement of eLearning. The most widely known ADL publication is the SCORM specification
    • Aviation Industry CBT Committee (AICC)
      Created in 1988, the AICC is an international group of technology-based training professionals. They create CBT-related guidelines for the aviation industry. Their goal is more cost-effective, efficient and sustainable training. They are most known for their computer-managed instructions (CMI) guidelines.
    • Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers Learning Technology (IEEE LTSC)
      The IEEE is an international organization that develops technical standards and recommendations for electrical, electronic, computer and communication systems. IEEE specifications are already widely adopted and becoming international standards. The most widely known IEEE LTSC specification is the Learning Object Metadata (LOM) specification.
    • IMS Global Consortium (IMS)
      The IMS is a consortium of vendors and implementers who focus on the development of XML-based specifications. These specifications describe the key characteristics of courses, lessons, assessments, learners and groups. Their XML specifications and Best Practices Guidelines provide a structure for representing eLearning meta-data (data about data). They are most known for their IMS Meta-data, IMS Content Packaging and IMS QTI (Question and Test Interchange).

    For a more comprehensive listing or resources go to my eLearning standards resources page.

  • What topics are addressed by the standards?

  • While there are a number standards and specifications, most can be grouped into three broad categories:

    • Communication Interface or API - how resources communicate with other systems.
    • Meta-data - how to describe eLearning resources in a consistent manner.
    • Packaging - how to gather resources into useful bundles.

References

The following sites were discovered through this knowledge quest and found to excellent reference material:

  • Macromedia
    Macromedia software empowers millions of business users, developers, and designers to create and deliver effective, compelling, and memorable experiences — on the Internet, on fixed media, on wireless, and on digital devices. The company is committed to supporting key standards efforts such as those provided by ADL, AICC, IEEE, and IMS that allow content interoperability, meta-data tagging, and data tracking.
  • Online Computer Library Center
    Founded in 1967, OCLC Online Computer Library Center is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world’s information and reducing information costs.
  • Masie Center
    The MASIE Center is an international e-lab and ThinkTank located in Saratoga Springs, NY. The Center is dedicated to exploring the intersection of learning and technology.
  • Athabascau University - Centre for Distance Education
    Athabasca University is one of the world’s leading open universities specializing in distance education.
  • e-Learning Centre
    The e-Learning Centre provides independent e-learning advice and consultancy to businesses and education.
  • The New Media Consortium
    The New Media Consortium (NMC) is an international 501(c)3 not-for-profit consortium of nearly 200 leading colleges, universities, museums, corporations, and other learning-focused organizations dedicated to the exploration and use of new media and new technologies.