Why service-orientation could make e-learning standards obsolete. (10th September 2008)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vossen, Gottfried; Westerkamp, Peter
• Is Part Of: International journal of technology enhanced learning. Volume 1:Number 1/2(2008)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2008-09-10
• Subjects: e-learning standards -- standardisation -- LOM -- SCORM -- service orientation -- online learning -- web services; Educational technology -- Periodicals; Education -- Effect of technological innovations on -- Periodicals; Web-based instruction -- Periodicals; Computer-assisted instruction -- Periodicals; 371.3305
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-5255

Abstract

Standardisation in e-learning is characterised by the development of numerous specifications. Main efforts address the annotation of metadata, content aggregation, educational modelling languages, or the definition of interfaces for platforms and runtime systems to execute learning objects. Each of these fields comprises several competing activities that are generally not compatible to each other. In this paper, we discuss typical problems of common e-learning standards and contrast this with a service-oriented approach to deliver major functionalities of e-learning platforms and content. The approach is based on web services, which can be plugged together to build platforms that solve many of the compatibility problems inherent in present-day standards. It turns out that the consistent implementation of e-learning functionalities based on web services can make several e-learning standards obsolete.