UNINETT, Harstad, June 2004 Developing Sustainable E- Learning Frameworks to Support Teaching and Learning Lorna M. Campbell, CETIS

UNINETT, Harstad, June 2004

Developing Sustainable E-Learning Frameworks to Support Teaching and

LearningLorna M. Campbell, CETIS

http://www.cetis.ac.uk/



The future….? E-learning frameworks and service oriented architectures

Why do we need technical e-learning frameworks?

What are the benefits of e-learning frameworks and service oriented architectures?

The JISC E-Learning Programme. An international ELF?


A few definitions

Framework A set of models, specifications and patterns that

provide a common basis for designing architectures.

Architecture The design of services and systems to support a

specific institution, organisation, or federation’s requirements.

May or may not be derived from a framework.


Why do we need technical e-learning frameworks?

Architecture of a typical managed learning environment today.

3 main systems occupying vertical space within institution.

Portal linking systems together at user level.

Some communication between systems.

VLELibrary mgt

systemSRS / MIS

Portal


Architecture of a typical managed learning environment expanded to show the components they contain.

Overlap of functions and data within components means significant data replication required to keep components synchronised.

Virtually impossible to implement single sign on, for example, in this type of environment.

Authentication

Assessment

Packaging

Collaboration

Authorisation

Coursemanagement

Authentication

Packaging

Cataloguing

Authorisation

Coursemanagement

Authentication

Authorisation

Coursemanagement

VLE

Contentmanagement

Discover

Library mgtsystem

Contentmanagement

Discover

SRS / MIS

Grading


Architecture of a typical managed learning with common services moved out of applications.

No need to replicate data – all applications using same common data sources.

Individual MLE components smaller so easier to create and maintain.

Shared services need well defined interfaces so all components can access them.

VLE

Collaboration

Assessment

Library mgtsystem

Cataloguing

SRS / MIS

Grading

Contentmanagement

Packaging AuthorisationCourse

management

Authentication Discover


Service oriented architectures

Frameworks allow institutions to develop their own architectures, using a flexible service-oriented approach.

In service oriented architectures system application logic is exposed as services, which can then be used (consumed) by other applications.

Service oriented architectures build on the experience of using Web Services for integration.

Does not preclude using portals or data warehouses for systems integration.


For example a student record system may expose services for working with enrolment and registration information, which can then be used by a number of systems.

Student portal

Library mgtsystem

Facultyteaching tool

SRS courseMgt GUI

Course mgtWeb Service

Student Record system

<<consumes>>

<<consumes>>

<<consumes>>

<<provides>>


Benefits of ELFs and SOAs

• Benefits for teachers and learners:• Supports pedagogic diversity.• Enables pedagogy-driven implementations.

• Benefit to institutions:• Makes collaboration between institutions easier.• Provides better returns on technology investment.• Enables faster deployment of technology.• Provides a modular and flexible technology base.


JISC e-Learning Programme

• Making the e-Learning framework a reality.• 4 strands:• Pedagogy• Frameworks and tools• Innovation• Distributed e-Learning

• http://cetis.ac.uk:8080/frameworks• Running from 2003 - 2006.

http://cetis.ac.uk:8080/frameworks






JISC e-Learning Frameworks and Tools strand

• Develop a generic technical framework for e-learning systems to enable:• FE / HE institutions to create MLE architectures to support

their particular e-learning strategies.• Produce architectures based on interoperability standards.• Provide a common basis (understanding) for future

developments.• Identify gaps or major barriers to progress (pain points) on

which to focus development activity.• Technical Framework to Support e-Learning

• http://cetis.ac.uk/members/frameworks/index.html

http://cetis.ac.uk/members/frameworks/index.html


The JISC e-Learning Framework

Sample User Agents

Learning Domain Services

Common Services

Institutional Infrastructures (TCP/IP etc.)


Common Services

Harvesting

Resolver

Logging

Workflow

Mapping

Messaging

Content management

Rating / Annotation

Chat

Person

Calendaring

Alert

AV conferencing

E-mail management

DRM

Identifier

Search

Presence

Authentication

Packaging

Terminology

Federated search

Role

Metadata management

Whiteboard

Context

Scheduling

Metadata service registry

Filing

Service registry

Rules

Authorisation

Archiving

User preferences

Group

Member

Format conversion

Forum


Learning Domain Services

Reporting

Resource list

Competency

Activity author

Course validation

Sequencing

Tracking

Assessment

ePortfolio

Marking

Quality assurance

Activity management

Grading

Learning flow

Curriculum

Personal development

Course management


Sample User Agents

Library system

Marking tool

VLE / LMS

Timetabling

ePortfolio

Portal

Authoring applications

Learning flow

Enrollment portlet


JISC e-Learning Frameworks and Tools projects

• 8 initial toolkit development projects funded:• Open source service integration components for

timetabling and scheduling using the IMS Enterprise Web Services.

• Search interface for querying multiple repositories.• Webservices for personal development planning.• Upgrading CopperCore Learning Design engine to

be LD Level C compliant and exposing its functionality as a webservice.


JISC e-Learning Frameworks and Tools projects

• 8 initial toolkit development projects funded:• Creating a packaged interface to national

Teaching and Learning Portal.• Tool kit for resource discovery services.• Tool kit to facilitate creation, integration and

presentation of sequenced learning activities.• Development of IMS QTI modular item rendering

engine.


Towards an international ELF

• Considerable degree of international interest in JISC e-Learning Framework.

• Input already received from Carnegie Mellon Learning Systems Architectures Laboratory and Australian Department of Education Skills and Training.

• Possibility of seeking further international partners to develop framework.


Further information

• E-Learning Frameworks Site• http://cetis.ac.uk:8080/frameworks

• CETIS website• http://www.cetis.ac.uk/

• JISC• http://www.jisc.ac.uk/



http://www.jisc.ac.uk/


Acknowledgements

• CETIS• Scott Wilson, Wilbert Kraan, Bill Olivier, Steve Jeyes

• JISC• Tish Roberts, Paul Bailey, Sarah Porter

• LSAL• Dan Rehak

• DEST• Kerry Blinco

• UKOLN • Andy Powell


Contact

Lorna M. Campbell

[email protected]

Thank you!

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

UNINETT, Harstad, June 2004 Developing Sustainable E- Learning Frameworks to Support Teaching and Learning Lorna M. Campbell, CETIS