Comments on: What is a "Platform for e-Learning"? http://scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/ We make SCORM easy Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:11:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: LMS Open Source – 10 alternativas a Moodle « Wiki – Tu Academia.com http://scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-1069 LMS Open Source – 10 alternativas a Moodle « Wiki – Tu Academia.com Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:49:46 +0000 http://beta.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/#comment-1069 [...] y la posibilidad de desarrollar módulos que funcionen simultáneamente en varias plataformas (ver http://www.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/ ). Al igual que hubo en su día una normalización del “courseware” a través de SCORM [...] [...] y la posibilidad de desarrollar módulos que funcionen simultáneamente en varias plataformas (ver http://www.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/ ). Al igual que hubo en su día una normalización del “courseware” a través de SCORM [...]

]]> By: E-Learning http://scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-348 E-Learning Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:36:36 +0000 http://beta.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/#comment-348 Nice article, however LMS is now becoming an somewhat old concept. There are new alternatives out there, which are becoming incredibly useful to more and more companies. Nice article, however LMS is now becoming an somewhat old concept. There are new alternatives out there, which are becoming incredibly useful to more and more companies.

]]> By: LMS Open Source LMS - 10 alternativas a Moodle | e-Learning para el nuevo milenio http://scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-347 LMS Open Source LMS - 10 alternativas a Moodle | e-Learning para el nuevo milenio Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:35:50 +0000 http://beta.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/#comment-347 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Nathan Ashlock http://scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-346 Nathan Ashlock Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:08:00 +0000 http://beta.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/#comment-346 I’ve been contemplating e-learning application interoperability for several years now. Back in 2001 I was involved in the development of a whitepaper that discussed an alternative to SCORM which focused on systems in a sense sharing students and not content and proposing the development of a common ‘language’ used to communicate a student’s interactions with training content while the student was ‘visiting’ a remote application. It was also based on the reality that one SCORM conformant system cannot effectively train everything just because it is SCORM conformant (gaming and simulation applications for example). <br/><br/>We did not get the opportunity to take the concept beyond the whitepaper level and start developing the common ‘language’ models. However, the K-12 education industry has somewhat tackled this problem with a standard called the Student Interoperability Framework (SIF), available here: www.sifinfo.org. I think the SIF specification can be extended to fit needs of platform for e-leaning model. I’ve been contemplating e-learning application interoperability for several years now. Back in 2001 I was involved in the development of a whitepaper that discussed an alternative to SCORM which focused on systems in a sense sharing students and not content and proposing the development of a common ‘language’ used to communicate a student’s interactions with training content while the student was ‘visiting’ a remote application. It was also based on the reality that one SCORM conformant system cannot effectively train everything just because it is SCORM conformant (gaming and simulation applications for example).

We did not get the opportunity to take the concept beyond the whitepaper level and start developing the common ‘language’ models. However, the K-12 education industry has somewhat tackled this problem with a standard called the Student Interoperability Framework (SIF), available here: http://www.sifinfo.org. I think the SIF specification can be extended to fit needs of platform for e-leaning model.

]]> By: Mike Rustici http://scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-345 Mike Rustici Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:35:00 +0000 http://beta.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/#comment-345 Damon: Your thoughts are similar to some of the things Tim and I talk about internally. Going back to my response to Allyn's comment, we consider the big difference between "learning content" and just "regular content" to be three things: "context", "path" and "assessment".<br/><br/>"Context" - Some form of orientation as to how this information fits into a broader picture.<br/><br/>"Path" - A structured and intentional way of presenting content so that knowledge is built upon and opportunities for new discovery are presented.<br/><br/>"Assessment" - Ensuring that knowledge is being properly conveyed to enable the path to be adapted.<br/><br/>We're certainly not experts in education by any means. Those are just our thoughts as technologists working in this area.<br/><br/>Damon's post is at <a HREF="http://damonregan.blogspot.com/2008/12/thoughts-on-letsi.html" REL="nofollow" rel="nofollow">http://damonregan.blogspot.com/2008/12/thoughts-on-letsi.html</a> Damon: Your thoughts are similar to some of the things Tim and I talk about internally. Going back to my response to Allyn’s comment, we consider the big difference between “learning content” and just “regular content” to be three things: “context”, “path” and “assessment”.

“Context” – Some form of orientation as to how this information fits into a broader picture.

“Path” – A structured and intentional way of presenting content so that knowledge is built upon and opportunities for new discovery are presented.

“Assessment” – Ensuring that knowledge is being properly conveyed to enable the path to be adapted.

We’re certainly not experts in education by any means. Those are just our thoughts as technologists working in this area.

Damon’s post is at http://damonregan.blogspot.com/2008/12/thoughts-on-letsi.html

]]> By: Mike Rustici http://scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-344 Mike Rustici Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:22:00 +0000 http://beta.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/#comment-344 Dan: I agree the master-slave relationship is probably the wrong model going forward. I think how it's presented though might vary based on whether your audience is business focused or technically focused. As a geek, I'm with you, "loosely-coupled peer applications". As a business man, that sounds mystical and it sounds like something new, something that is going to make me change, something that is going to cause me pain. I think it's important from a business/marketing perspective to be saying "we are going to standardize something that you are already doing to make your life easier and save you money". From a technical perspective, we can know that we are going to make it better and cooler. Dan: I agree the master-slave relationship is probably the wrong model going forward. I think how it’s presented though might vary based on whether your audience is business focused or technically focused. As a geek, I’m with you, “loosely-coupled peer applications”. As a business man, that sounds mystical and it sounds like something new, something that is going to make me change, something that is going to cause me pain. I think it’s important from a business/marketing perspective to be saying “we are going to standardize something that you are already doing to make your life easier and save you money”. From a technical perspective, we can know that we are going to make it better and cooler.

]]> By: Mike Rustici http://scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-343 Mike Rustici Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:16:00 +0000 http://beta.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/#comment-343 Allyn: Thanks for your feedback. There seems to be a lot of great discussion happening related to LETSI on independent blogs and various email threads. I wonder if we should find a better way to structure these on the LETSI site. The current wiki seems a bit clunky for the purpose though.<br/><br/>I agree that the learning world is less and less about the experiences delivered from an LMS, but I do still see a need for those experiences to be tracked and managed by an LMS. Also, note that I use the term "LMS" almost figuratively. While we are focused on the learning world, the "systems that track and manage learning" are rapidly evolving. They are even morphing/merging into other types of systems. LETSI's work shouldn't be tied to today's concept of an LMS. BUT, I think it is very important to start from someplace we know and to start from someplace where there is a current market need.<br/><br/>If OKI has laid a suitable foundation, then by all means, let's take a look.<br/><br/>I agree with the messages you point out this thread as being consistent with. Before starting the post, I was thinking to myself, "am I really saying anything new here?". I don't think there's new ground-breaking material, it's just a different slant that crystallizes the abstract notions and frames the problem in a way that is easier to pitch on an elevator and makes good business sense. Allyn: Thanks for your feedback. There seems to be a lot of great discussion happening related to LETSI on independent blogs and various email threads. I wonder if we should find a better way to structure these on the LETSI site. The current wiki seems a bit clunky for the purpose though.

I agree that the learning world is less and less about the experiences delivered from an LMS, but I do still see a need for those experiences to be tracked and managed by an LMS. Also, note that I use the term “LMS” almost figuratively. While we are focused on the learning world, the “systems that track and manage learning” are rapidly evolving. They are even morphing/merging into other types of systems. LETSI’s work shouldn’t be tied to today’s concept of an LMS. BUT, I think it is very important to start from someplace we know and to start from someplace where there is a current market need.

If OKI has laid a suitable foundation, then by all means, let’s take a look.

I agree with the messages you point out this thread as being consistent with. Before starting the post, I was thinking to myself, “am I really saying anything new here?”. I don’t think there’s new ground-breaking material, it’s just a different slant that crystallizes the abstract notions and frames the problem in a way that is easier to pitch on an elevator and makes good business sense.

]]> By: Mike Rustici http://scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-342 Mike Rustici Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:02:00 +0000 http://beta.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/#comment-342 Phillip: I agree with you on the similarities with Aaron's comments on the "portability of data". That's what this interoperability is all about. I considered trying to represent data and its various formats in the diagrams I created, but my artistic imagination failed me! The problems of what data to exchange, in what formats and and what quantities might seem a bit staggering at the moment, but I imagine it felt that way when people first started to look at the problem of standardizing content interoperability as well. When you start to look at what is unique to learning however, I think the problem becomes a bit clearer. People in the learning industry like to think that we are quite unique, but I disagree. When you really start to look at it, the technical aspects of learning technology aren't hugely different from the rest of the software world.<br/><br/>Yes, platforms and programming languages are certainly diverse across systems, but I think this is where a loosely coupled, services-oriented architecture comes in. In a standardized world, "plug-ins" wouldn't be as tightly integrated (from a technical perspective) as they are now. Phillip: I agree with you on the similarities with Aaron’s comments on the “portability of data”. That’s what this interoperability is all about. I considered trying to represent data and its various formats in the diagrams I created, but my artistic imagination failed me! The problems of what data to exchange, in what formats and and what quantities might seem a bit staggering at the moment, but I imagine it felt that way when people first started to look at the problem of standardizing content interoperability as well. When you start to look at what is unique to learning however, I think the problem becomes a bit clearer. People in the learning industry like to think that we are quite unique, but I disagree. When you really start to look at it, the technical aspects of learning technology aren’t hugely different from the rest of the software world.

Yes, platforms and programming languages are certainly diverse across systems, but I think this is where a loosely coupled, services-oriented architecture comes in. In a standardized world, “plug-ins” wouldn’t be as tightly integrated (from a technical perspective) as they are now.

]]> By: Dan Young http://scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-341 Dan Young Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:57:00 +0000 http://beta.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/#comment-341 Mike - I think you hit this exactly on the head, at least in reference to the "out-of-browser" use-cases that we have been looking at. The SCORM RTE provides a channel for learning content to communicate with the LMS for status data, learner data, control data, etc. We don't have any equivalent API for apps, unless the app can somehow pretend it's a SCO. <br/><br/>I think one of the pieces we need a new model to provide is the ability for the learning event to initialize/launch the "LMS" rather than vice-versa. Currently, the LMS has to launch SCOs, whereas a real out-of-browser learning/assessment event might not be launched or initiated by the LMS at all. SOA would allow the event to initiate the transation with the LMS (or whatever we'll call the record-keeping software function). Just having that basic capability would open up a lot of possibilities. <br/><br/>One suggestion, though. Rather than think of apps as plug-ins or extensibility for the LMS (which strikes me as a pre-SOA model implying a kind of parent-child relationship), I think we should be thinking instead of loosely-coupled peer applications, where either one could be considered the server or the client, depending on the nature of the transaction. Just a shift in terminology and/or perspective. Mike – I think you hit this exactly on the head, at least in reference to the “out-of-browser” use-cases that we have been looking at. The SCORM RTE provides a channel for learning content to communicate with the LMS for status data, learner data, control data, etc. We don’t have any equivalent API for apps, unless the app can somehow pretend it’s a SCO.

I think one of the pieces we need a new model to provide is the ability for the learning event to initialize/launch the “LMS” rather than vice-versa. Currently, the LMS has to launch SCOs, whereas a real out-of-browser learning/assessment event might not be launched or initiated by the LMS at all. SOA would allow the event to initiate the transation with the LMS (or whatever we’ll call the record-keeping software function). Just having that basic capability would open up a lot of possibilities.

One suggestion, though. Rather than think of apps as plug-ins or extensibility for the LMS (which strikes me as a pre-SOA model implying a kind of parent-child relationship), I think we should be thinking instead of loosely-coupled peer applications, where either one could be considered the server or the client, depending on the nature of the transaction. Just a shift in terminology and/or perspective.

]]> By: Damon Regan http://scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/comment-page-1/#comment-340 Damon Regan Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:51:00 +0000 http://beta.scorm.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-a-platform-for-e-learning/#comment-340 Great thoughts as usual Mike. I appreciate your desire to get concrete. I posted on my blog a stab at the question raised here: "What is the piece that LETSI should do with 'SCORM' 2.0? Great thoughts as usual Mike. I appreciate your desire to get concrete. I posted on my blog a stab at the question raised here: “What is the piece that LETSI should do with ‘SCORM’ 2.0?

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