 |
IMS Learning Resource Meta-Data Information Model Version 1.2.1 Final Specification |
| Copyright © 2001 IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The IMS Logo is a trademark of IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc. Document Name: IMS Learning Resource Meta-Data Information Model Revision: 28 September 2001
|
IPR and Distribution Notices
Recipients of this document are requested to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent claims or other intellectual property rights of which they may be aware that might be infringed by any implementation of the specification set forth in this document, and to provide supporting documentation.
IMS takes no position regarding the validity or scope of any intellectual property or other rights that might be claimed to pertain to the implementation or use of the technology described in this document or the extent to which any license under such rights might or might not be available; neither does it represent that it has made any effort to identify any such rights. Information on IMS's procedures with respect to rights in IMS specifications can be found at the IMS Intellectual Property Rights web page: http://www.imsglobal.org/ipr/imsipr_policyFinal.pdf.
Copyright © 2001 IMS Global Learning Consortium. All Rights Reserved.
Permission is granted to all parties to use excerpts from this document as needed in producing requests for proposals.
Use of this specification to develop products or services is governed by the license with IMS found on the IMS website: http://www.imsglobal.org/license.html.
The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be revoked by IMS or its successors or assigns.
THIS SPECIFICATION IS BEING OFFERED WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, AND IN PARTICULAR, ANY WARRANTY OF NONINFRINGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. ANY USE OF THIS SPECIFICATION SHALL BE MADE ENTIRELY AT THE IMPLEMENTER'S OWN RISK, AND NEITHER THE CONSORTIUM, NOR ANY OF ITS MEMBERS OR SUBMITTERS, SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER TO ANY IMPLEMENTER OR THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY NATURE WHATSOEVER, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS SPECIFICATION.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. IEEE Document
2.1 IMS Meta-Data Information Model
2.2 IMS Modifications
2.3 Extensions
2.3.1 Extensions Using DTDs
2.3.2 Extensions Using XML Schema Definitions
Appendix A - List of Contributors
About This Document
Revision History
Index
1. Introduction
This document describes the names, definitions, organization, and constraints of the IMS Meta-Data elements. This work is composed of two parts, a working document from an IEEE standards committee, of which IMS member organizations have been key contributors, and a number of modifications that have been approved by the IMS Technical Board.
The IEEE document is the Working Draft 6.1 Learning Object Meta-Data (LOM) Scheme working document of the IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee's (LTSC) LOM Working Group. Many organizations around the world have collaborated on this document, including substantial involvement by IMS member organizations either directly or through IMS Briefing and Feedback meetings. The document lists the meta-data elements and how they are organized hierarchically. Each element is described with 5 pieces of information:
The second part of this document contains a number of modifications approved unanimously by the IMS Technical Board. These changes were recommended based on implementation testing and detailed document reviews. The IMS Technical Board representatives include many individuals who have actively participated in the development of the IEEE document. Those individuals judged the likelihood of these changes being incorporated into the IEEE document as high.
Any future IMS certification/conformance testing will be based on the combination of these two resources.
2. IEEE Document
| LOM Working Draft 6.1 posted 13 February 2001 (included below for reference). | http://ltsc.ieee.org/doc/wg12/ |
IMS additions and modifications are noted in the Modifications section following the IEEE LTSC LOM Working Draft 6.1 tables.
2.1 IMS Meta-Data Information Model
The following table is based on the IEEE LTSC LOM Working Draft 6.1: Base Scheme (2001-02-13). Names have been changed to be all lower case.
2.2 IMS Modifications
The changes, with some rationale, are provided below with the specific changes to the IEEE document in wording shown in italics text:
2.3 Extensions
The IEEE LOM Draft Standard may not adequately capture all meta-data needed to describe learning objects and their use. The LOM allows extensions for proprietary meta-data elements and structures. The LOM states: "Extension data elements shall not replace data elements in the LOM structure. NOTE--All data elements in the metadata instance should describe characteristics as defined by this standard. (For example, the user shall not abuse the title data element to describe the fonts used in the document.) Abusing data elements would compromise semantic interoperability."
The decision to implement extensions to the LOM should not be taken lightly, because using extensions risks breaking interoperability. The IMS Learning Resource Meta-Data XML Binding Specification defines two ways for treating all user-defined, proprietary extensions in a uniform manner. Consensus on the specific use of extensions is highly desirable. Any uses or proposed uses of extensions should be brought to the attention of the IMS Meta-Data Working Group (md-question@imsglobal.org).
2.3.1 Extensions Using DTDs
IMS defines the element called <extension> for use when building extensions using a DTD control file. This element is optional for every branch of the meta-data tree structure. See the IMS Meta-Data DTD http://www.imsglobal.org/xml/imsmd_rootv1p2.dtd.
Using extensions with more than one DTD control file is problematic. IMS recommends using XML Schema Definition language and its namespacing capability when using extensions.
2.3.2 Extensions Using XML Schema Definitions
IMS supports extensible meta-data using the XML Schema Definition language (XSD, XDR) through the use of other LOM elements as an extension or as new elements (defined in a specific namespace). Namespace elements typically contain a meaningful prefix, such as "adl" (to represent the Advanced Distributed Learning initiative) to uniquely identify its extensions. IMS recommends the use of the W3C Recommendation for Namespaces (http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/REC-xml-names-19990114). See the IMS Meta-Data Schema Definition files at http://www.imsglobal.org/metadata.
Appendix A - List of Contributors
The following individuals contributed to the development of this specification:
About This Document
| Title | IMS Learning Resource Meta-Data Information Model |
| Editors | Mark McKell and Schawn Thropp |
| Version | 1.2.1 |
| Version Date | September 2001 |
| Status | Final Specification |
| Summary | This document provides updated information regarding IMS Learning Resource Meta-Data Information Model. |
| Revision Information | 28 September 2001 |
| Purpose | Defines the IMS Learning Resource Meta-Data Information Model |
| Document Location | http://www.imsglobal.org/metadata/imsmdv1p2p1/imsmd_infov1p2p1.html |
Revision History
Index
C
Contributors 1
E
Elements
aggregationlevel 1
annotation 1
catalog 1, 2, 3
catalogentry 1, 2, 3
classification 1
context 1
contribute 1, 2
copyrightandotherrestrictions 1
cost 1
coverage 1
date 1, 2, 3
datetime 1
description 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
difficulty 1
duration 1
educational 1
entity 1, 2
entry 1, 2, 3, 4
format 1
general 1
id 1
identifier 1, 2, 3
installationremarks 1
intendedenduserrole 1
interactivitylevel 1
interactivitytype 1
keyword 1, 2, 3
kind 1
langstring 1
language 1, 2, 3, 4
lifecycle 1
location 1
maximumversion 1
metadatascheme 1
metametadata 1
minimumversion 1
name 1
otherplatformrequirements 1
person 1
purpose 1
relation 1
requirement 1
requirements 1
resource 1
rights 1
role 1, 2
semanticdensity 1
size 1
source 1, 2
status 1
string 1
structure 1
taxon 1
taxonpath 1
technical 1
title 1
type 1
typicalagerange 1
typicallearningtime 1
value 1
version 1
I
IEEE 1
N
Namespaces 1
IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc. ("IMS") is publishing the information contained in this IMS Learning Resource Meta-Data Information Model ("Specification") for purposes of scientific, experimental, and scholarly collaboration only.
IMS makes no warranty or representation regarding the accuracy or completeness of the Specification.
This material is provided on an "As Is" and "As Available" basis.
The Specification is at all times subject to change and revision without notice.
It is your sole responsibility to evaluate the usefulness, accuracy, and completeness of the Specification as it relates to you.
IMS would appreciate receiving your comments and suggestions.
Please contact IMS through our website at http://www.imsglobal.org
Please refer to Document Name: IMS Learning Resource Meta-Data Information Model Revision: 28 September 2001
