Blackboard/Common Cartridge and Open
Educational Resources with SoftChalk
Jeff Kahn
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What we will cover
• What is IMS Common Cartridge• Who is SoftChalk• How does SoftChalk integrate with Blackboard via
Common Cartridge and otherwise • What is an Open Educational Resource (OER)• How does SoftChalk support authoring OERs• How can Blackboard be an OER Repository
IMS Global Learning ConsortiumCommon Cartridge
www.imsglobal.org
What Problem Does Common Cartridge Address?
The Need for a Standard
• Common Cartridge is a specification for packaging learning and assessment content.
• The package distills the latest and best community practices for sharing digital content among authoring tools and learning platforms.
What’s In CC 1.0• Cartridge Manifest – describes the cartridge (zip of files)• Metadata
– Cartridge, Roles, Curriculum Standards (coming)
• Content– html, xml, media files (mpg, jpg, mp3), application files (e.g.
Microsoft Office), …– Web links
• Integrated assessments (and question banks)– Multiple choice (single or multiple response)– True/false– Essay– Simple fill in the blank– Pattern match (optional)
• Discussion forum• Authorization for protected content (optional)
Simplified Course Import Example
Starting with this…
Some Course DocumentsSome Links to ContentSome Discussion TopicsAn Assessment
We package like this…
course-xx.zip
imsmanifest.xml
resources
content file (supporting files)
xml file describing link
xml file describing discussion topic
xml file describing assessment
Simplified Course Example
Cartridge Structure on Disk
Discussion Topics (specification section 4.7)
• Discussion topic text is stored in an XML file that must be processed by the learning platform.
• Discussions can have attachments.
Web Links (specification section 4.8)
• Link information is stored in an XML file that must be processed by the learning platform.
• Links can have some parameters related to desired behavior.
Assessment (continued)
Authorization(specification section 4.6)
• Authorization on cartridge import• Authorization on cartridge use• Authorization on resource use• Mechanism (separate specification)
– Unique identifier– Web service address
Blackboard Support for Common Cartridge Import
Resources for Developers
Sample Cartridges
• Developer section on the CC Alliance Forum– http://www.imsglobal.org/developers/alliance/ccresources.cfm
• Valid Cartridges (17) and Invalid Cartridges (35)– These determine conformance for importers
• Feedback on Cartridges
• Other Cartridges– Product Directory
– Learning Impact Challenge
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http://www.imsglobal.org/cc/statuschart.html
Compliant and In-the-Works
Take-Aways
• SoftChalk is a content authoring tool that can export material in IMS Common Cartridge format.
• Blackboard will be able to import Common Cartridges.
www.softchalk.com
• Based in Richmond, Virginia• Founded in 2002 by folks with history of educational technology
innovation since 1996, including Web Course in a Box later sold to Blackboard.
• Offers a range of online and in-person training• Works with a number of open initiatives, including: IMS, MERLOT,
Connexions Consortium, and Sakai.
• Blackboard Signature Partner• Cofounder of SoftChalk was Cofounder of the BbOpenSource.org that
predated OSCELOT.
Who is SoftChalk LLC
• Desktop application, written in Java• Runs on Windows and Mac OSX• Creates content in Web format• Students view with a web browser• Content delivered in a Learning
Management System (LMS), on CD-ROM, or on a web server
What is SoftChalk Lesson Builder
Media Search Tool
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Includes Blackboard Content System
Building Block for Dump of Content System Metadata
• REST interface• Uses NOSESSION to avoid login• Returns XML containing items and their
metadata• Available through OSCELOT
Publish to Blackboard From Within SoftChalk
Building Block for Upload
• REST interface• Login using a key• Get TOC, Course, Folders, and Items,
Content• Add Item, zip, SCORM• Replace and Delete
Open Educational Resources
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What is an Open Educational Resource
According to Wikipedia: “Open educational resources (OER) are learning materials that are freely available for use, remixing and redistribution.”
Complete OER Solution• Authoring Tool • Content• Use License• Repository to Hold Content• Discovery Service / Refer-atory• Consuming Application
OER Licensinghttp://www.creativecommons.org
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License Displays in Footer
Blackboard as OER Repository
• Decide how open to allow contribution– Instructor(s) login
• Users outside the institution can be given Guest access
• Make the content discoverable– MERLOT, etc
References to OERs
Peer Reviewed
SoftChalk Publish
Take-Away• Authoring Tool • Content• Use License• Repository to Hold Content• Discovery Service / Refer-atory• Consuming Application
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Please provide feedback for this session by emailing [email protected].
The subject of the email should be title of this session:
Blackboard/Common Cartridge and Open Educational Resources with SoftChalk
