A framework for learning processes
Member of the eLIG (eLearning Industry Group) in the UK. Presentation gave an in-depth view of what the eLIG is doing to establish a set of standards and architectural principals for an eLearning architecture that will take us forward. Key points include adoption of a web services model, identification of a common set of tools and services that can be used, and the pursuit of a ??semantic?? language model as we look ahead to the future.

ELIG priorites
Focus on the development of eLearning standards and architectures for eLearning
Requirement of eLearning standards for interoperability
Have developed a white paper regarding the architectures for eLearning in the EU
Reference to various standards grups that have been operating in the past few years.
– IMS
– IEEE (USA)
– CEN/ISSS (European)
Various standards bodies developing separate standards
DoD ?? Advanced distributed learning initiative ?? SCORM
– extremely successful in structuring learning materials and looking at interoperability of exchanging learning materials between one system and another
– still need for research and development in the process models associated with the implementation of SCORM
Need some platform independent environment that allows organizations to collaborate and innovate etc in an open standards environment.
Reference to a recent paper looking at an analysis of virtual learning environments, showing a strong trend in the use of these environments in UK universities, but little focus on pedagogical features of these environments and how they are used.
We have an abundance of separate systems ?? but no Process system frameworks that allows for them to be linked together to give a seamless approach ?? eg LMS. CMS, SMS, AdminMS, HRMS etc.
Reference to a systems approach developed in the UK, identifying the relationships and interactions that take place. (Reminded me of the Learning DnA that we developed at the Correspondence School to guide our thinking.)
Emphasis on adopting a layered architecture (Apps, service, core) to enable sharing among a variety of heterogeneous systems. Eg
– SUN eLearning reference architecture,
– Open Knowledge Initiative (MIY)
– MS abstract framework
All about common services!
Architectures must be independent of languages and independent of platform.