TinCan in the Wild

Christian GlahnInternational Relations and Security Network

TinCan in the Wild

CC http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuchodi/4044142624/

TinCan was the code name for the Experience API before it was called Experience API or XAPI and released by the ADL Initiative in January 2013.

The ADL Initiative already brought us SCORM.

The Big Question

How to improve interoperability between live tools, services and systems?

The not so Big Questions

How to build with various tools and services complex and attractive learning environments?

How to create more exciting learning experiences?

A few Words of Warning• I will talk about prototypes and data structures.

• You need a basic understanding of

• Virtual learning environments

• Modern Web-applications

• Interoperability standards

• Interactive systems

• Sensor networks

• Indeed, I will talk about prototypes and data structures!Things will not work with your VLE at home. (I may help you if you ask nicely)

About me• Researcher at the ISN Zurich (part of the ETHZ)

• IAmLearn Executive Board and Chair of eduhub SIG Mobile

• Thinker and doer of “educational” solutions

• Share knowledge and technologies

• Make complex technology jumping through hoops• Hook mobile apps into legacy LMS• Socialize web-environments

• Invent Micro Learning

• Connect mobile and ambient computing with WBT• Create “impossible” adaptive courses with IMS LD

What is my business with the Experience API?

• ISN Zurich collaborates with the ADL Co-Labs

• Research on “new delivery channels”

• Promoting ADL interoperability specifications in European security and defense organizations

• Provide open source tools and open access services that support the ADL interoperability specifications

How to create more exciting learning experiences?

Learning Experiences• Any performance that contributes to personal

learning.

• They can involve other people.

• They can happen everywhere.

• They can include various technologies and media.

• Measurable and quantifiable

• Contributes to evidence of learning

What Problem does the XAPI Solve?• Educational technologies are more divers than 10-15

years ago.

• Increasing number of specialized tools, services and devices are used for learning but are hard to integrate with VLEs on a procedural level.

• Most interoperability standards for E-learning focus on integrated platforms and not mash-up environments.

• Emerging practices and advanced learning processes receive little support.

SCORM

Learning Networks

PLEE-Portfolios

Simulations

Games

Mobile Learning

Tangibles

Learning Badges

Adaptive OER

SCORM

Learning Networks PLE

E-Portfolios

Simulations

Games

Mobile Learning

TangiblesLearning Badges

Adaptive OER

XAPI

The Experience API... is normally working under the hood of your VLE

Basic Anatomy of the Specification•Experience Streams

•Learning Record Stores

ActivityActivityActivity Activity Activity

Experience Streamsand Statements

Context

ActorVerb

Object

ResultTimeAuthority

Learning Record Store (LRS)

• Storage for activity statements and streams

• Annotations for sub-system integration

• Main functions: store and query activity statements

• REST-Service API for external access

• OAuth security layer

The Basic Process

Senses learner activity

Makes VLEs respond

Sensor Networks

Senses learner activity

Access a resource

Visit a location

Take a test

Post on a forum

Update a Wiki page

Upload an assignment

Output of VLE Sensors

GPS Light conditions

Visit a location

Screen interactionNoise levelsTemperature

Tactile (shake, turn)

More Sensors

NFC

Senses learner activity

Visit a location

Unlock a resource

Example Actuators

Makes VLEs respond

Evaluate test scores

Provide an assignment

Update Portfolio

Message updates

Provide feedback

The XAPI is all about reporting and collecting learning experiences

Bringing the XAPI into Practice• LRS is hardly ever

stand-alone• Almost always part of

a learning environment

BORING

How to build with various tools and services complex and attractive

learning environments?

The XAPI gets more exiting when we connect stuff!

Meet the Mobler Cards App

Loose-coupling With a VLE

• No VLE plugin

• No stand-alone app

• Fully connected to web-based courses

• Using VLE-hosted resources

• Provides personalized learning support across multiple devices

XAPI ScenariosCascaded environments

Device synchronization

Mash-up environments

Cascaded Environments

Interaction Sensors

Offline support

Course integration Certification

Device Synchronization

My iPhone

My Android Tablet

Mash-up Environments

iPhone

Android Tablet

PfP VLE

EDC VLE

How can we use these learning experiences?

... and make something useful.

Now we have a lot of experiences in the LRS ...

3 Scenarios for Mobler Cards

•Selection of test items• Dynamic dampening function

•Statistics perspectives• Dynamic with yard-stick

•Learning achievements• Dynamic until achieved, then persistent

Learning Analytics Logic for the XAPI

Integratedcomponent

Summary• XAPI is a new interoperability specification for

connecting live tools and services

• The XAPI defines a REST-service API and the activity stream data-format

• It supports basic mash-up technologies for device synchronization, cascading environments and complex learning networks.

• Learning analytics are needed to influence the learning experience in a complex learning environment

Christian Glahnwww.isn.ethz.ch

The presented research has been partially funded by the ADL Co-Lab and awarded by the Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG) under the grant no. N62909-12-1-7022

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lo-f.at/glahnIAMLearn.org