JISC

This project is part of the IMS project cluster in this particular programme. Projects in this cluster will test and explore the implementation of the IMS one of the emerging learning technology specifications to support the transfer of data and learning objects between different VLE.

This project has completed and has produced :

• Several guidance papers on implementing IMS specifications and technical reviews
• PackageIt! a content packaging tool that allows content to be packaged with metadata attached
• The "Black Box" XML convertor which provides a means of passing information between non-conformant and conformant systems
• A final report (pdf), ' Stretching the IMS Specifications to Achive Interoperability' which details the project activities and findings

Background/Context

The three partners in this project have all developed their own Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), all funded by the JISC. Each VLE has taken a different approach:·

• Staffordshire's COSE is a server-based VLE which supports the development and delivery of active learning content to learners working individually or collaborating in groups
• Huddersfield's CoMentor is a server-based VLE which enables the sharing of documents and provides synchronous discussion spaces for learning
• Bangor's Colloquia is a distributed learning management tool which provides context-based group and individual discussion spaces, supported by learning resources

The project will test and contribute to the emerging IMS specifications by attempting to use the specifications to interoperate these three systems with each other, and with MIS systems

Aims and Objectives

The overall aim of the project is to test the IMS specifications by attempting to implement each system by working with student information systems and other institutional systems that already implement relevant IMS specifications. It will also explore how the specifications enable interoperability between the three systems. Primary objectives are:

• To test IMS specifications
• To disseminate findings widely to the UK FE and HE community
• Feed results back to the IMS Project
• Suggest UK extensions to IMS

The key secondary objective is:

• To implement interoperability between COSE, Colloquia and CoMentor

Project Design

The project aims to explore a number of senarios of implementing the specifications, for example:·

• Passing class enrolment information between systems
• Returning results to an originating systems
• Providing support for integrated discussion
• Passing structured content between systems
• Exploring how to support live collaboration

Implications

The primary objective of the project is the evaluation by implementation of the relevant IMS specifications. Workable integration between the three participating systems, while providing orientation and focus for the work, is a secondary objective and, if achieved, will be an important added benefit of the project. Early adoption of specifications is fraught with difficulty, and the key outcome will be the learning involved in the process. Significant emphasis will therefore be placed on widely disseminating the outcomes and findings to the FE and HE community.

If there are any problems with the adequacy of the IMS specifications with respect to the needs of the community, there will be two possible further outcomes. Firstly, where these are UK- specific, the project will offer its work as a basis for UK specific extensions to the IMS specifications. Secondly, where there are generic problems with the specifications themselves, the results will be used by the UK CETIS Centre as input to the IMS (or other) specification development processes.