LOR Characteristics and Considerations

LOR Characteristics and LOR Characteristics and ConsiderationsConsiderations

Scott Leslie for Scott Leslie for SREB Educational Technology SREB Educational Technology

Cooperative Information Technology Cooperative Information Technology Task GroupTask Group

February 15, 2005February 15, 2005

OutlineOutline Intro/Background on Research ProjectIntro/Background on Research Project

LOR IssuesLOR Issues

LOR Approaches and FeaturesLOR Approaches and Features

High level summaries of the 6 products we High level summaries of the 6 products we reviewedreviewed

ConclusionsConclusions

BackgroundBackground

Who Am IWho Am I

Researcher with Edutools, Ed Tech Researcher with Edutools, Ed Tech Comparative Analysis site run by Comparative Analysis site run by WCETWCET

Manager of Learning Resource Manager of Learning Resource Centre development initiative for Centre development initiative for BCcampus, province-wide consortium BCcampus, province-wide consortium in British Columbia Canadain British Columbia Canada

The Edutools LOR Research The Edutools LOR Research ProjectProject

Project to jointly evaluate possible Project to jointly evaluate possible LOR solutionsLOR solutions

2004 Project Partners2004 Project Partners• University System of Georgia University System of Georgia • Utah Education NetworkUtah Education Network• Virginia Community College SystemVirginia Community College System• Virginia TechVirginia Tech

Edutools LOR Project(2)Edutools LOR Project(2)

Evaluated 6 productsEvaluated 6 products

Assisted partners with identifying needs; Assisted partners with identifying needs; exposed them to alternative approaches exposed them to alternative approaches and considerationsand considerations

‘‘Guest Experts’ – Ed Walker (IMS), Flora Guest Experts’ – Ed Walker (IMS), Flora McMartin (Merlot), Mike Mattson McMartin (Merlot), Mike Mattson (Careo/Apollo), Kevin Harrigan (CLOE, (Careo/Apollo), Kevin Harrigan (CLOE, Waterloo)Waterloo)

LOR IssuesLOR Issues

Still early days yetStill early days yet

While it may not feel like it to some old While it may not feel like it to some old hands, still early dayshands, still early days

Also still early in the ‘learning object’ Also still early in the ‘learning object’ approach itselfapproach itself• dearth of standards-based content that has dearth of standards-based content that has

proven to be not just proven to be not just interoperableinteroperable but (more but (more importantly) importantly) re-usablere-usable

• Authoring tools which support standards just Authoring tools which support standards just starting to emerge en masse starting to emerge en masse

• shift in faculty attitudes and approaches to shift in faculty attitudes and approaches to content development neededcontent development needed

LORs are immature technology LORs are immature technology

LORs still struggling to define precisely the LORs still struggling to define precisely the problem that is trying to be solved with problem that is trying to be solved with them? Is it them? Is it • the discovery and sharing of resources?the discovery and sharing of resources?• the management of content development?the management of content development?• the facilitation of content re-use?the facilitation of content re-use?• the creation of communities of practitioners?the creation of communities of practitioners?• the archiving of learning materials?the archiving of learning materials?• the ingestion and re-composition of complex the ingestion and re-composition of complex

multimedia objects?multimedia objects?• All of the above?All of the above?

LOR Market an Immature MarketLOR Market an Immature Market

Market for LOR technology is very Market for LOR technology is very immature and has some fundamental risksimmature and has some fundamental risks

• unclear how large a market unclear how large a market vendors are trying to amortize costs to quickly vendors are trying to amortize costs to quickly

across too few customersacross too few customers

• if LCMS are also considered, clearly larger if LCMS are also considered, clearly larger market but…market but…

often ‘corporate’ in focus with attendant costsoften ‘corporate’ in focus with attendant costs

Early Days for Early Days for Open SourceOpen Source LORs LORs

Very few examples (outside of library Very few examples (outside of library world) of world) of open sourceopen source repository software repository software that has been widely taken up by that has been widely taken up by community of implementerscommunity of implementers

Many initial projects were developed Many initial projects were developed institutionally on soft money and haven’t institutionally on soft money and haven’t been transitioned that well to being been transitioned that well to being inclusive ‘open source’ projectsinclusive ‘open source’ projects

LOs, LORS and Existing LOs, LORS and Existing ChallengesChallenges

LOs and LORs initiatives exist against the LOs and LORs initiatives exist against the general background of the explosion in general background of the explosion in networked based technologies and the networked based technologies and the related issues of intellectual propertyrelated issues of intellectual property

There are still no widespread acceptable There are still no widespread acceptable solutions to the Digital Rights solutions to the Digital Rights Management question, only a large Management question, only a large number of interim, provisional attempts to number of interim, provisional attempts to stave off the problem.stave off the problem.

Repository Approaches & FeaturesRepository Approaches & Features

Types of Repository ApproachesTypes of Repository Approaches

‘‘Referatories’Referatories’ ‘‘Classic’ RepositoryClassic’ Repository Learning Content Management SystemLearning Content Management System Generic Content Management SystemGeneric Content Management System Digital Asset ManagementDigital Asset Management Institutional RepositoryInstitutional Repository Repository as part of Course Managememt Repository as part of Course Managememt

vendor solutionvendor solution

Repository as ‘Application’Repository as ‘Application’

Repository

CMS

Repository as ServiceRepository as Service

Repository

CMS

Archival (IR)

Edutools Comparative FrameworkEdutools Comparative Framework

Discovery ToolsDiscovery Tools Aggregation ToolsAggregation Tools Community & Community &

EvaluationEvaluation Meta-taggingMeta-tagging Content Content

ManagementManagement Digital Rights Digital Rights

Management & Management & FulfillmentFulfillment

Presentation and Presentation and Consortia IssuesConsortia Issues

Integration and Integration and InteroperabilityInteroperability

Technical Technical ConsiderationsConsiderations

Pricing/Licensing/ Pricing/Licensing/ OtherOther

Evaluative Framework: Evaluative Framework: Detailed FeaturesDetailed Features

Discovery ToolsDiscovery Tools• SearchingSearching• BrowsingBrowsing• Syndication & NotificationSyndication & Notification

Aggregation ToolsAggregation Tools• Personal CollectionsPersonal Collections• Content Aggregator and Packaging ToolContent Aggregator and Packaging Tool

Community & EvaluationCommunity & Evaluation• Evaluation SystemEvaluation System• Context Usage IllustratorsContext Usage Illustrators• Wish ListsWish Lists

Meta-taggingMeta-tagging• Metadata Markup ToolMetadata Markup Tool• Schema SupportSchema Support• Indexing Workflow SupportIndexing Workflow Support• Import and Export ToolsImport and Export Tools• Unique Identifier SupportUnique Identifier Support

Content ManagementContent Management• Authoring and Publishing Workflow SupportAuthoring and Publishing Workflow Support• Version Control & Archiving FunctionsVersion Control & Archiving Functions• Authoring toolsAuthoring tools

Digital Rights Management & FulfillmentDigital Rights Management & Fulfillment• Digital Rights ManagementDigital Rights Management• Payment and FulfillmentPayment and Fulfillment

Evaluative Framework: Evaluative Framework: Detailed Features(2)Detailed Features(2)

Presentation and Consortia IssuesPresentation and Consortia Issues• Customized Look and FeelCustomized Look and Feel• Internationalization (I18n)Internationalization (I18n)• Multiple CollectionsMultiple Collections• Media Transformation and DisplayMedia Transformation and Display

Integration and InteroperabilityIntegration and Interoperability• Federation and HarvestingFederation and Harvesting• Course Management IntegrationCourse Management Integration• API and Web Service supportAPI and Web Service support

Technical ConsiderationsTechnical Considerations• AuthenticationAuthentication• Authorization & PersonalizationAuthorization & Personalization• Usage reporting Usage reporting • Operating SystemOperating System• Application/Database Server RequirementsApplication/Database Server Requirements• ScalabilityScalability• SupportSupport

Evaluative Framework: Evaluative Framework: Detailed Features (3)Detailed Features (3)

General Observations of Products General Observations of Products we reviewedwe reviewed

We found that the defining We found that the defining characteristics of these systems, in characteristics of these systems, in terms of widespread feature support, terms of widespread feature support, were:were:

• Support for searching and browsing of Support for searching and browsing of recordsrecords

• Metatagging tools, and standards-based Metatagging tools, and standards-based schema supportschema support

• Support for federation and harvesting Support for federation and harvesting

Overall, we found support lacking for the Overall, we found support lacking for the following features across all of the following features across all of the products:products:

• Syndication and Notification Syndication and Notification

• Community & Evaluation features (e.g. Community & Evaluation features (e.g. evaluation system, wish lists and context of evaluation system, wish lists and context of usage illustrators) usage illustrators)

• Time-based Media support Time-based Media support

• Content Aggregation and Packaging tool Content Aggregation and Packaging tool

Specific Product Specific Product SummariesSummaries

6 Products6 Products

HarvestRoad HiveHarvestRoad Hive Intrallect IntralibraryIntrallect Intralibrary North Plains Telescope EnterpriseNorth Plains Telescope Enterprise DSpaceDSpace Concord MasterfileConcord Masterfile Ex Libris DigiTool Ex Libris DigiTool

HarvestRoad HiveHarvestRoad Hive(http://www.harvestroad.com/)(http://www.harvestroad.com/)

A “learning content management system” A “learning content management system”

StrengthsStrengths Content management supportContent management support Workflow, rolesWorkflow, roles Strong integration with existing enterprise Course Strong integration with existing enterprise Course

Management SystemsManagement Systems

WeaknessesWeaknesses Interface Interface Lacks both aggregation tools and ability to cope with Lacks both aggregation tools and ability to cope with

aggregate objectsaggregate objects As an LCMS, has more than just repository featuresAs an LCMS, has more than just repository features

Intrallect IntralibraryIntrallect Intralibrary(http://www.intrallect.com/) (http://www.intrallect.com/)

A “classic” learning object repository A “classic” learning object repository

StrengthsStrengths Strong support for learning object standardsStrong support for learning object standards Awareness of practices and standards from the library Awareness of practices and standards from the library

world, including support for Thesauriworld, including support for Thesauri Interface very straightforward and intuitive for what it doesInterface very straightforward and intuitive for what it does

WeaknessesWeaknesses Lacks workflow supportLacks workflow support Lacks aggregation tool (but can handle aggregate objects)Lacks aggregation tool (but can handle aggregate objects) Licensing model based on number of contributors to Licensing model based on number of contributors to

database and is geared to a model of only very few database and is geared to a model of only very few contributorscontributors

North Plains Telescope EnterpriseNorth Plains Telescope Enterprise((http://www.northplains.com/)http://www.northplains.com/)

A ‘Digital Asset Management’ system A ‘Digital Asset Management’ system

StrengthsStrengths Strong audio and video capabilities, including abilities to ingest, Strong audio and video capabilities, including abilities to ingest,

segment and caption video, and transform existing media formats segment and caption video, and transform existing media formats Strong content management support and unlimited step and role Strong content management support and unlimited step and role

workflowworkflow Ability to search for other assets based on their visual similarityAbility to search for other assets based on their visual similarity

WeaknessesWeaknesses Lacking off the shelf support for Content PackagesLacking off the shelf support for Content Packages Because of the quite different domain and business model from Because of the quite different domain and business model from

which this software originates, it lacks any real support for the which this software originates, it lacks any real support for the idea of ‘federation’ of repositories idea of ‘federation’ of repositories

License model may prove prohibitive to any but the largest License model may prove prohibitive to any but the largest educational organizationseducational organizations

DSpaceDSpace(http://www.dspace.org/)(http://www.dspace.org/)

Primarily an “institutional repository” systemPrimarily an “institutional repository” system

StrengthsStrengths Freely available as open-source software; the “DSpace Freely available as open-source software; the “DSpace

Federation” and user groups form a core of active support Federation” and user groups form a core of active support communitiescommunities

Commitment to open standards and open access through Commitment to open standards and open access through protocols such as Dublin Core and OAI-PMHprotocols such as Dublin Core and OAI-PMH

Emphasis on archival and digital preservation featuresEmphasis on archival and digital preservation features

WeaknessesWeaknesses Lacks community and evaluation functionsLacks community and evaluation functions Lacks true content management functionalityLacks true content management functionality Lacks digital rights management controlsLacks digital rights management controls

Concord MasterfileConcord Masterfile(http://www.concord-usa.com/) (http://www.concord-usa.com/)

Described as an “Education Institution Content Management Described as an “Education Institution Content Management System” System”

StrengthsStrengths Content can be entered automatically into resource collections Content can be entered automatically into resource collections

with minimal metadata entry with minimal metadata entry Content management system can add features to the authoring Content management system can add features to the authoring

and delivery of online courses, such as versioning, media handling and delivery of online courses, such as versioning, media handling and low-bandwidth options.and low-bandwidth options.

Tightly integrated with Blackboard, and WebCT Vista 2.1 (soon)Tightly integrated with Blackboard, and WebCT Vista 2.1 (soon)

WeaknessesWeaknesses Modular system architecture likely means that multiple add-on Modular system architecture likely means that multiple add-on

modules would be needed.modules would be needed. Many features (metadata schemas, federated search) require Many features (metadata schemas, federated search) require

vendor customization.vendor customization. Lacks features designed to support learner interaction with Lacks features designed to support learner interaction with

resources, such as community tools or personal collections.resources, such as community tools or personal collections.

Ex Libris DigiToolEx Libris DigiTool(http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/) (http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/)

A “digital content management” system A “digital content management” system

StrengthsStrengths Broad support for formats, standards and protocols for Broad support for formats, standards and protocols for

media, metadata and data interchange.media, metadata and data interchange. Effectively designed interfaces, in particular for metadata Effectively designed interfaces, in particular for metadata

entry and resource browsing.entry and resource browsing. Flexible options for structuring and presenting resources.Flexible options for structuring and presenting resources. Strong complement of digital rights management and Strong complement of digital rights management and

access control features.access control features.

Weaknesses:Weaknesses: Lacks content authoring supportLacks content authoring support Lacks community and evaluation, syndication and Lacks community and evaluation, syndication and

notification features notification features

ConclusionsConclusions

Clearly there are many ways to address Clearly there are many ways to address the need for ‘learning object repositories’the need for ‘learning object repositories’

The one that is right for you will depend in The one that is right for you will depend in part on part on • how you define your problemhow you define your problem• who you have working on the problemwho you have working on the problem• what systems and vendors you already have in what systems and vendors you already have in

placeplace

How do you define your problemHow do you define your problem

Are you building an application, a service, or Are you building an application, a service, or both?both?

Are you trying to Are you trying to • share existing resources as widely as possible, share existing resources as widely as possible, • manage the creation of new resources, manage the creation of new resources, • manage just learning resources or all academic manage just learning resources or all academic

resources?resources?

Do you care about inter-institutional federations Do you care about inter-institutional federations or are you expecting all of the instructional or are you expecting all of the instructional material your faculty will ever need to be found material your faculty will ever need to be found within your own collections?within your own collections?

Who is working on the problemWho is working on the problem When you hear “learning object When you hear “learning object

repository” do you emphasize the word repository” do you emphasize the word • “ “learning” learning” • “ “repository” repository” • Both?Both?

Is your initiative headed byIs your initiative headed by• Educational Technologists? Educational Technologists? • Media Production Unit? Media Production Unit? • Librarians? Librarians? • Information Technologists? Information Technologists? • All of these? All of these? • Someone else?Someone else?

What systems you already haveWhat systems you already have

Do you have an existing Do you have an existing • course management system? course management system? • library system? library system? • content management system? content management system? • authentication and authorization system?authentication and authorization system?

Which of these systems are already in Which of these systems are already in play, and also which particular brands, will play, and also which particular brands, will likely influence how you frame the likely influence how you frame the problem and the type of system you seek.problem and the type of system you seek.

Round 1 ResultsRound 1 Results

Results of first round that I have Results of first round that I have presented here are available off the presented here are available off the Edutools homepage: Edutools homepage: http://www.edutools.info/http://www.edutools.info/

Round 2 results will be available Round 2 results will be available November 2005 (kept for partners November 2005 (kept for partners private use for 6 months)private use for 6 months)

Questions / DiscussionQuestions / Discussion

Feel free to contact me for further Feel free to contact me for further information on the studies, or with information on the studies, or with further questions atfurther questions at

[email protected]@edutools.info