• LearningContent
• Phased_Design_Plan

• This is a subpage of http://wiki.oasis-open.org/dita/LearningSubcommittee. See the terms of use there.

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Phased plan for a top-level DITA design for learning content

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Phase 1: Top-level approach and assumptions

Adopt a top-level design for DITA topic-based learning content that is equally informed by the Cisco/Clark learning objects approach and by leading instructional models, and complements the Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM).

Working assumptions:

• A learning object consists of a) instructional objects, which provide the structured framework for a learning experience, and b) information objects, which provide the source learning content.
• DITA topic types provide the meaning and intention to content contained in instructional and information objects, and as such, comprise the basic building blocks for learning objects.
• DITA maps arrange dita topic type files into a sequence as learning objects and organize such content for delivery as lessons, modules, and courses.
• DITA specialization provides the mechanism for creating learning-based topic types needed for instructional and information object content requirements.

Background related to Phase 1

• Ruth Clark's "Recyling Knowledge with Learning Objects"

• Learning objects and DITA - Pretty picture

• Premises and issues

• Restatement of goals

• Mapping Gagne's Instructional Events to DITA

• Discussion on instructional content and DITA

• Thinking XML: Learning Objects Metadata by Uche Obguji (developerWorks, 2003). A very useful summary of the SCORM-standard Learning Object Metadata (LOM), how to represent it with XML, and connection to RDF.

Action items and expected results on Phase 1

1. Approved by SC at February 8, 2007 meeting.
2. To be turned into DITA and submitted to TC for approval at Feb. 27 meeting. John Hunt and Scott Hudson.

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Phase 2: Learning objects and DITA topic types

A learning object consists of a) instructional objects and b) information objects.

a) Instructional objects are comprised of the following specialized DITA topic types:

• Instructional Design topic type

  • Describes learning needs and goals, instructional design models, task analyses, learning taxonomies, and other information necessary to the lesson planning process.

• Learning Overview topic type

  • Identifies the learning objectives, includes other information helpful to the learner, such prerequisites, duration, intended audience, and can include information and strategies that seeks to gain attention and stimulate recall of prior learning.

• Learning Summary topic type

  • Recaps and provides context for the learning objectives, provides guidance to reinforce learning and long-term memory, and may pose questions to enhance encoding and verification of the learning content.

• Learning Assessment topic type

  • Presents instruments that measure progress, encourage retrieval, and stimulate reinforcement of the learning content, and can be presented before the content as a pre-assessment or as a post-assessment test. The interactions use a sub-set of the Question-Test Interoperability (QTI) specification, implemented as a DITA domain specialization. For more on QTI, see Phase 5.

b) Information objects are comprised of the following specialized DITA topic types:

• Learning Content topic type

  • Provides the learning content itself, and enables direct use of content from DITA task, concept, and reference topics, as well as additional content of any topic type that supports specific objectives declared in the Learning Overview topic type. A Learning Content topic comprises a set of self-contained content about a single terminal learning objective supported by zero or more enabling learning objectives.

• Learning Enhancement topic type

  • Describes and presents content that supplements the primary learning content, such as practices, exercises, or simulations, and could also include scenarios that invoke role playing, games, in-class homework, and group discussions.

Pretty picture of a learning object and the DITA topic types

Background related to Phase 2

• Top-level information types - outlined in sequence

• Learning types - conceptual design

• Learning Objects and DITA

• Learning objects and DITA - Pretty picture

• What Info Types Do We Need?

• Implementation in DITA

Action items for Phase 2

1. Define overview and purpose of each type.
2. Identify content elements and structures required for each of the specialized topic types.
3. Develop DTD specialization modules for each.
4. Consult with Eric Sirois on development of XML Schema (XSD) support for the specializations.
5. Identify one or more content samples for each type.
6. Use DITA OT to build to HTML with default processing.
7. Develop specification for learning topic types
   • a) First draft, b) Review, c) Second draft, d) Final review, e) Final copy
8. Approve and submit specification for learning topic types to the DITA TC

Expected results for Phase 2

1. For each learning topic type:
   • A description of the overview and purpose
   • A table of specialized elements and structures
   • DTD specialization and XML Schema modules
   • One or more content samples
   • Specialized DITA topic files for each content sample
   • Default HTML output processing for each content sample
2. Specification for learning topic types approved by learning/training SC and submitted to DITA TC

Timeframes and Target completion for Phase 2

1. March, 2007: Assign a lead and complete overview descriptions, collect content samples, and identify elements and structures, for each topic type. Report back to the SC at April 5, 2007 meeting.
2. April, 2007: Develop DTD modules and sample DITA content, for each learning topic type. Report results to SC at May 3, 2007 meeting.
3. May, 2007: Review and finalize designs and DTD modules, develop XML Schema modules, use DITA OT to build HTML and PDF outputs, and complete first draft of specification for topic types. Report results to SC at June 7, 2007 meeting.
4. June, 2007: Review, revise, and complete second draft of specification for topic types. Report back to SC at July 5, 2007 meeting.
5. July, 2007: Review, revise, and complete final draft of specification for topic types. Report back to SC at August 2, 2007 meeting.
6. August 2, 2007: Seek SC approval to report back to TC on readiness to publish finished specification for learning topic types.

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Phase 3: Learning map type

Use a specialized DITA map type to structure DITA topics into learning objects, and organize such learning objects for delivery as lessons, modules, courses, and so forth.

Background related to Phase 3

• Map issues

• Paul Barley's Term Comparison Spreadsheet

• Design patterns for information architecture with DITA map domains

Action items and expected results on Phase 3

1. Identify content elements and structures needed for a specialized map type.
2. Develop DTD specialization modules for the learning map type.
3. Consult with Eric Sirois on development of XML Schema (XSD) support for the specialization.
4. Identify one or more sample maps.
5. Use the DITA Open Toolkit to process to HTML with default processing.
6. Develop specification for learning map type
   • a) First draft, b) Review, c) Second draft, d) Final review, e) Final copy
7. Approve and submit specification for learning map type to the DITA TC

Expected results for Phase 3

1. A description of the overview and purpose of the specialized learning map domain
2. A table of specialized elements and structures
3. DTD specialization and XML Schema modules
4. One or more sample maps
5. Specification for learning topic types approved by learning/training SC and submitted to DITA TC
   • a) First draft, b) Review, c) Second draft, d) Final review, e) Final copy

Timeframes and Target completion for Phase 3

1. April, 2007: Assign a lead and develop a table of elements and structures for the map type. Report back to the SC at May 3, 2007 meeting.
2. May, 2007: Develop DTD and XML Schema specialization modules for the learning map type; develop one or more sample maps, and use DITA OT to build to HTML with sample topics developed in Phase 2. Report back to the SC at the June 7, 2007 meeting.
3. June, 2007: Complete a first draft and review the specification for a learning map type. Report back to the SC at the July 5, 2007 meeting.
4. July, 2007: Complete second draft revisions and final review for the map type specification. Report back to the SC at the August 2, 2007 meeting.
5. August, 2007: Complete final draft of the map type specification. Report back and seek SC approval to report back to TC on readiness to publish the finished map type specification, at the September 6, 2007 meeting.

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Phase 4: Processing and delivery targets

Prioritize SCORM® and IEEE LOM as primary processing and delivery targets, with IMS simple sequencing and PDF as secondary targets.

Pretty picture of DITA processing model for learning content

Background related to Phase 4

• ADL SCORM site

• Why SCORM?

• SCORM SECE sample content

• An Analysis of SCORM and DITA (SFSU)

• Meeting with Tyde Richards on SCORM and XML content standards

• DITA and SCORM background links

Action items for Phase 4

1. Identify and prioritize secondary targets, such as IMS simple sequencing, PDF, general e-learning, or classroom-based training.
2. Identify the specific sub-sets of SCORM to support for a phase 1 pilot.
3. Identify the specific sub-sets of IEEE LOM (learning metadata) to support for a phase 1 pilot.
4. Develop specification on processing for SCORM, IEEE LOM, and any secondary targets
   • a) First draft, b) Review, c) Second draft, d) Final review, e) Final copy

Expected results for Phase 4

1. Prioritized set of secondary processing targets
2. Description of minimal level and sub-set of SCORM to support
3. Description of minimal level and sub-set of IEEE LOM to support
4. Develop XSLT to support basic processing extensions needed for delivering topics and maps as SCORM, including the SCORM manifest, and test against sample content from phases 2 and 3.
5. Specification on processing for SCORM and any secondary targets
   • a) First draft, b) Review, c) Second draft, d) Final review, e) Final copy

Target completion for Phase 4

1. June, 2007: Identify prioritized set of processing targets, and develop description of minimal level of SCORM and sub-set of IEEE LOM to support. Report back to SC at July 5, 2007 meeting.
2. July, 2007: Develop XSLT to support basic processing extensions for SCORM and IEEE LOM, start first draft of processing specification for SCORM and any secondary targets. Report back to SC at August 2, 2007 meeting.
3. August, 2007: Complete first draft of processing spec, review, start second draft. Report back to SC at September 6, 2007 meeting.
4. September, 2007: Complete second draft, review, and start final draft of the processing specification. Report back to SC approval at October 4, 2007 meeting.
5. October, 2007: Complete final draft of the processing specification. Report back and seek SC approval to report back to TC on readiness to publish the finished map type specification, at the November 1, 2007 meeting.

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Phase 5: Interactions and assessments

Adopt a sub-set of QTI to drive assessments and interactions, and implement them as a DITA domain specialization.

The Question-Test Interoperability (QTI) specification describes a data model for the representation of question (assessmentItem) and test (assessmentTest) data and their corresponding results reports. Therefore, the specification enables the exchange of this item, test and results data between authoring tools, item banks, test constructional tools, learning systems and assessment delivery systems.

Background related to Phase 5

• IMS QTI

• QTI wikipedia entry

Action items for Phase 5

1. Identify specific sub-set of QTI to support
2. Identify content elements and structures needed for a domain specialization of QTI sub-set
3. Develop DTD specialization modules for the QTI domain
4. Develop XML Schema modules for the QTI domain
5. Develop sample content that uses the QTI domain
6. Develop specification for QTI domain, including processing
   • a) First draft, b) Review, c) Second draft, d) Final review, e) Final copy

Expected results for Phase 5

1. Sub-set of QTI to support
2. Table of content elements and structures for a QTI domain
3. DTD modules for QTI domain
4. XML Schema modules for QTI domain
5. Sample content for QTI domain
6. Specification for QTI domain
   • a) First draft, b) Review, c) Second draft, d) Final review, e) Final copy

Target completion for Phase 5

1. August, 2007: Identify the sub-set of QTI to support. Report back to SC at September 6, 2007 meeting.
2. September, 2007: Develop table of content elements and structures for a QTI domain, and develop DTD and XML Schema specialization modules to support. Report back to SC at October 4, 2007 meeting.
3. October, 2007: Develop sample content for the QTI domain and develop first draft of specification. Report back to SC at November 8, 2007 meeting.
4. November, 2007: Review first draft, revise for second draft, and ready specification for final review. Report back to SC at December 6, 2007 meeting.
5. December, 2007: Final review and final copy for interactions specification. Report back and seek SC approval to report back to TC on readiness to publish the finished interactions specification, at the January 3, 2007 meeting.

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Phase 6: Sample content

Test assumptions against sample content

Action items for Phase 6

1. Identify pilot content, starting with training content on how to use DITA (or some aspect of it), and identify one or two other sets of training content to pilot.
2. Create DITA topics and maps for the sample content, using the specialized learning topic and map types
3. Process to HTML and PDF with DITA OT default processing
4. Process to SCORM, based on results of Phase 4
5. Process to QTI, based on results of Phase 5
6. Develop report on sample content and processing best practices

Expected results for Phase 6

1. Sample content identified and collected
2. DITA topics and maps created for sample content
3. Default HTML and PDF outputs created with DITA OT default processing
4. SCORM outputs, based on results of Phase 4
5. QTI outputs, based on results of Phase 5
6. Report on sample content and processing best practices

Target completion for Phase 6

1. November, 2007: Collect and assemble sample content for the topic types, map type, and QTI assessments domain, based on inputs in Phases 2-5. Report back to SC at December 6, 2007 meeting.
2. December, 2007: Test samples with default processing, test samples with specialized SCORM processing from Phase 4. Report back to SC at January 3, 2008 meeting.
3. January, 2008: Test samples with specialized QTI processing from Phase 5. Report back to SC at February 7, 2008 meeting.

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Phase 7: Specification for DITA Learning and training content specialization design

Draft, review, and submit specification for DITA learning and training content specialization design, processing, and best practices.

Expected results for Phase 7

1. First draft complete specification
2. Review by SC
3. Revise
4. Approve by SC
5. Submit to TC
6. Publish to TC / OASIS

Target completion for Phase 7

1. TBD, pending SC discussion and approval
2. January, 2008: Complete first draft complete specification. Report back to SC at February 7, 2008 meeting.
3. February, 2008: Review first draft and revise. Report back to SC at March 6, 2008 meeting.
4. March, 2008: Review and revise second draft. Review and ready final draft for submission to the TC. Report back to SC at April 3, 2008 meeting.
5. April, 2008: Submit specification for learning and training content specialization to the TC, for review and approval for readiness to publish to the TC and OASIS. Report back to SC and TC first week of May, 2008.

Summary of timeframes and target completion, for each phase

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References

• Learning Objects Information Types

  • http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/dita-learningspec/200610/msg00001.html

• Recyling Knowledge with Learning Objects

  • http://www.clarktraining.com/content/articles/LearningObjects.pdf

• Paul Barley's Term Comparison Spreadsheet

  • http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/dita-learningspec/200609/msg00009.html

• A DITA specialization design for learning

  • http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/xml/library/x-dita9a/

• Design patterns for information architecture with DITA map domains

  • http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/xml/library/x-dita7/