Tutorial

Tutorial Objective:

 The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is an aggregated specification for asynchronous distance learning, organized by the Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative (ADL) (http://www.adlnet.org/). The technical issues are presented in three parts: the content aggregation model (the format of courseware), the run-time environment (the protocol of running courseware) and the simple sequence specification (with learning status tracking, sequencing rules and application program interfaces). In order to make courseware reusable, a standard representation of contents and structures must be enforced. Content Aggregation Model (CAM) serves this purpose. CAM can be discussed in three parts: the Content Model, the Metadata and the Content Packaging. The Content Model defines the content components of a learning experience. That is how learning materials are organized into different levels of small sections. Metadata definition is a set of standard items, which is used to describe the Content Model. Metadata provide an efficient and effective mechanism for content searching. Content Packaging is a standard definition to allow the content model and the structure to be packed into a standard exchangeable file, known as Package Interchange File (PIF). Standard representation of course content only helps reusability if the contents section is found. This indicates that, for an instructor to find suitable contents for reuse, an effective and efficient search mechanism is necessary. The traditional searching mechanism is for normal purposes like the portal web site www.google.com. CAM provides a standard courseware representation format for content exchange. From the perspective of software systems, courseware should be available on different computers and software platforms. The purpose of the SCORM run-time environment is to establish a standard protocol for the courseware to communicate with its underlying Learning Management System (LMS) that is independent of both machine and the operating system.

 IMS defined the Question & Test Interoperability (QTI) specification which is used in many learning managements and some test item editing application. IMS QTI specification describes a formal structure for the representation of question (item) and test (assessment) data and their result reports with XML format. For developers, they can use IMS QTI to share the test items and basic element in test bank.

Length of Tutorial: Half Day (3 hours plus break)

Intended Audience (intermediate): This tutorial is dedicated for graduate students and young professors who are interested in the areas of Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) or IMS QTI (Question & Test Interoperability Specification) related research. Preliminary concepts will be delivered as well as new research directions.

Tutorial Outline:

• SCORM
  • Content Aggregation
  • Data Model
  • Run-Time Environment
  • Simple Sequence
  • System Examples
• IMS QTI
  • Assessment Test, Section, and Item Information Model
  • Interoperability Implementation Guide
  • Interoperability Meta-data and Usage Data
  • System Example
• Summary and Future Directions

Biography

Wen-Chih Chang received the B.S.B., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering of Tamkang University in 1999, 2001 and 2005. From 2001 to 2005, he focused on SCORM and e-learning at MINELAB. His research interests include e-learning standard, mobile agent, Game based learning, cooperative learning, petri net, web technology and e-learning specifications (ADL SCORM, IMS SS and IMS QTI). He is an assistant professor in Department of Information Management, Chung Hua University, Taiwan. He served as General Co-Chair of ADET 2008, PC member for AINA 2010 for the Multimedia and Social Networking track, Program Committee of ITIA 2007, ADET 2007 and AIAE 2009. He served as Session Chair of ICWL 2008 and WBL 2008.