IMS content packaging

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IMS Content Packaging is a specification that describes a data format for e-learning . The specified data format based on XML is intended to standardize online learning materials and was designed by the IMS Global Learning Consortium . The exact standard is defined in IEEE LTSC P1484.17.

description

IMS Content Packaging unifies online learning materials as well as their structure and their storage location. This serves the interoperability between different learning systems. Thereby, digitally available learning materials are to be described uniformly so that they can be used on a wide variety of existing systems. The requirements of the authors, the distributors (teaching staff) and the readers (students) are implemented.

A content package based on IMS content packaging consists of:

  • a so-called manifest based on XML that describes the structure and content of the package:
    • Meta-data: an XML element that describes the manifest as a whole
    • Organization: an XML element that describes the organization of the content in the manifest
    • Resource: an XML element that references all actual sources and media elements that are needed for the manifest. This includes metadata describing the sources and references to external files.
    • (sub) manifest: optional, logically branched manifest (s)
  • Files (content) that are referenced in the manifest and that represent the actual content

The data format of the learning materials itself is not subject to any rules. For example, files in web and office formats ( XHTML , HTML , XML , DOC , PDF , PPT , GIF , JPG ), or files with source code or executable applications such as Flash up to industry-specific formats (GPS, CAD) can be packaged become. The description of the metadata with which the materials are described is also not regulated in the IMS Content Packaging. An already existing standardized form (e.g. Dublin Core or LOM Learning Object Metadata ) is usually used for standardization.

The IMS Content Packaging data format can be used for individual learning materials (separate graphics or images) and for quantities of learning materials (for example entire courses or tutorials). These quantities can again be structured or unstructured.

The aim of the specification is to ensure researchability (localization on the web), interchangeability (between different content management, e-learning, and authoring systems) and reusability of the learning materials. This should be achieved through small, modular, context-free units described with metadata. The approach was not technology-driven, but was primarily intended to facilitate and improve usability.

Problem

In addition to the IMS content packaging, there are a number of other suggestions, recommendations and standards for e-learning that are constantly being expanded. In practice, in addition to IMS, the Advanced Distributed Learning Network (ADLNet) has currently established itself , whereby the ADLNet specification is based on IMS.

In addition to the IMS Global Learning Consortium, there are other organizations that develop specifications for e-learning, the most important of which are:

  • Aviation Industry CBT Committee (AICC)
  • Alliance for Remote Instructional Authoring and Distribution Networks for Europe (ARIADNE)
  • PROMETEUS: PROmoting Multimedia Access to Education and Training in European Society
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Learning Technology Standards Committee ( IEEE LTSC P1484 )
  • ISO / IEC Joint Technical Committee 1, Sub Committee 36 (ISO / IEC JTC1 SC36)
  • European Committee for Standardization, Information Society Standardization System (CEN / ISSS)
    • CEN Technical Committee 353: Information and Communication Technologies for learning education and training (CEN TC 353)
    • CEN / ISSS Workshop Learning technologies (WS-LT)

additional

Details on the specification can be found at the IMS Global Learning Consortium. The current finished version is Content Packaging v1.1.4 , but there is also a draft: Content Packaging v1.2 Public Draft . Both can be researched on the IMS website.

See also SCORM specification, LOM- Learning Object Metadata Schema and Educational Modeling Language .

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