Learning Objects Metadata

Most search sites (and search engines) do not actually host all original web resources ('Type 1' data). They create some form of data (referred to below as Type 2 data) from the gathered Type 1 data in order to support the search requests. When a user submits search criteria, instead of going out into the Web to locate the material (methodically exploring all the Type 1 data options), Search Sites scan the Type 2 data created by their robot(s) in order to find the matching resource(s) and then send a report to the user. Type 2 data can be used to conserve computation and/or communication of Search Sites. One possible type 2 data is metadata - data about data. The rules governing how metadata should be organised is refered to type 3 data here. Obviously, as metadata is only one of the many type 2 data, there are different type 3 data such as links, popularity rating and so on.

The follow papers focus on the more general theory of resource discovery and some specific reference to metadata. For information about the more theoretical aspects of learning objects, please visit the papers section on Learning Objects. For information about how these concepts are actually implemented, please visit the papers section on SCORM implementations issues.

Metasearching or Megasearching: Toward a Data Model for Distributed Resource Discovery [html version]

(Authors: Albert Ip (Contact author), Mike Currie, Iain Morrison, Jon Mason)

After classifying web sites into Resource sites and Search sites, the authors review some of the issues surrounding conventional Web searching and outline three data types which embrace, in broad terms: content, metadata and indexes, and classification rules and standards. This Data Model is then applied to provide new insights into the resource discovery process

Managing Online Resources for Teaching and Learning HTML (local) HTML (AusWeb2k)

(Authors: Albert Ip (Contact author), Iain Morrison, Mike Currie, Jon Mason)

Apart from providing access to a huge collection of information resources the Web promotes a new paradigm for teaching and learning...This paper describes the technical work of the EdNA Higher Education Team in this area since mid 1999. The distinction between educational resources and NEF resources provides a model for educational metadata development. A mechanism for "education enabling" NEF resources is proposed and is compatible with current educational metadata standardisation efforts. It is argued that Subject Gateways are potential providers of enabling resources and enabling metadata for domain specific NEF resources.

Resource Synergy: Improving the discovery of quality resources to support and information-dense learning environment HTML version

Presented at AusWeb01 - Seventh Australian World Wide Web Conference, Coffs Harbour, April, 2001, this paper by Albert Ip et al. analyses the resources currently used in information-dense learning environments and identifies a growing use of resources beyond those created specifically for education. This highlights a limitation of current metadata standardisation efforts which concentrate on educational resources. After describing the search process in terms of a specific data model, it describes subject gateways and their role in the collection and discovery of quality resources. The paper promotes collaboration between subject gateways to achieve a distributed collection of high quality resources in order to support an information-dense learning environment and addresses issues of interoperability and autonomy. Based on the recognition of the value of subject gateways, the authors set out four levels of collaboration and propose a path to achieve such goals.

The EdNA Metadata Toolsets: A Case Study HTML (AusWeb2k)

(Authors: Michael Currie, Nicholas Moss, Albert Ip & Prof. Iain Morrison)

the EdNA Higher Education project team was funded by DETYA to produce a suite of metadata tools for educational sectors and institutions in Australia. These tools were aimed at simplifying and partially automating the creation and maintenance of metadata for web resources intended to be added to EdNA Online. They also aimed to improve search effectiveness through linking an educational thesaurus to keywords obtained from the resource...This paper describes each of the projects and the metadata tools that have been produced. These include a Metadata Manager, a Metadata Editor and a linked Educational Thesaurus.

Diving For Pearls: Controlled Searching On Edna Online PDF

(Authors: Albert Ip (Contact author), Iain Morrison, Mike Currie, Jon Mason)

This paper is concerned with strategies for resource discovery. An evaluation of current Web-based search services reveals a need for greater precision, coverage, consistency and quality control. Subject Gateways, which typically utilise metadata to enhance their service, provide a potential solution and these are reviewed in the context of the principal author’s data model.

Reuse of Web-Based Resources in Technology-Enhanced Student-Centered Learning Environments html version PDF version

(Authors: Albert Ip & Som Naidu)

It is time to have a closer look at the use and reuse of Web-based resources. While the Web provides an immense amount of useful resources, the vast amount of information available from the Web may be potentially daunting to users if they cannot be systematically retrieved and used...A group of interoperating information gateways and subject gateways provides a good opportunity for creating the online equivalent of school libraries which comprises a much safer environment for learners to explore...

EdNA Online and the Propagation of Value-Add html version

(Authors: Jon Mason, Jillian Dellit, Graham Adcock and Albert Ip)

Paper prepared for AusWeb 99, Ballina, NSW 18-20 April, 1999. An overview of EdNA Online and the aggregation of added-value through the practice of collaboration. Discussion in this paper is mainly focussed on EdNA Online - a website initially implemented as a directory service but now providing a wider range of services and recognised worldwide for its breadth of implementation. The educational communities which come together and collaborate to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes take place within a variety of domains and are aimed at stimulating and encouraging the value of information and communications technologies to their constituents, Australia’s education and training communities. Significantly, much of this collaboration is facilitated by services provided via EdNA Online. Through the achievement of common outcomes, a value-adding to established networks takes place. At the same time, the online practices involved act as building blocks of the new information infrastructure by facilitating the formation of new networks. In the ongoing development of EdNA itself, value-adding propagates through the aggregation of the linkages within its constituent existing networks.

Modeling Information to Support Value-Adding: EdNA Online PDF version

(Authors: Jon Mason, Graham Adcock and Albert Ip)

This article focused on what stakeholders began to refer to in 1998 as a data model for EdNA Online. Published in WebNet Journal, Vol. 2. No. 3, 2000.