Metadata: Learning Object Metadata (LOM) CanCore

Definitions: Metadata, Learning Objects, and the LOM Metadata, or data about data, acts similarly to a card or record in a library catalog, providing controlled and structured descriptions for books, recordings, and "resources" generally through searchable attributes such as title, author, date, location, description, and subject. And also like a library catalog record, a metadata record can be located separately from the resource it describes, or packaged with (or embedded within) that resource.

This document interprets and refines a particular metadata standard developed specifically for the description of educational objects, or reusable digital educational resources. In this document, the term Learning Resource is used. This is done to avoid the controversy and confusion surrounding the term Learning Object (Friesen, 2003), and to reflect the fact that CanCore can be used to describe things other than those that conform to object-oriented design principles.

As mentioned above, the metadata standard with which CanCore is primarily concerned is known as the Learning Object Metadata (LOM) standard, and is equivalent to the IMS Learning Resource Meta-data specification. The LOM standard comprises a multiplicity of parts: A datamodel, which defines the metadata elements and their general characteristics; and a number of bindings, which indicate how these elements are to be encoded in XML and other formats.

CanCore’s Approach to Metadata CanCore’s understanding of metadata is based on conventional and emerging practices and techniques in library and information sciences. CanCore believes that much can be gained by combining the practices and solutions developed by librarians, catalogers, and indexers for long-standing information management problems.

One metadata standard other than the LOM itself that has been especially significant for CanCore is the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set (DCMES). This element set "was created to provide a core set of elements that could be shared across disciplines or within any type of organization needing to organize and classify information" (Dublin Core Metadata Initiative, 2002b). The CanCore guidelines make significant reference to normative statements, recommendations, and documents issued by the DCMI and members of the Dublin Core (DC) community in general.

CanCore’s element subset has been defined in keeping with the DCMI's minimalist approach. According to this approach, minimizing the variety and complexity of metadata elements is seen as ultimately benefiting metadata creation and implementation, and as assisting in resource discovery. CanCore sees this as applying to learning object metadata as well, and understands a law of diminishing returns as governing metadata use and creation. Like any other data management processes (such as data normalization or the control of information quality), the creation of metadata requires an investment of resources. However, the relationship between investment in metadata creation and the resulting level of resource discoverability is not linear. The more elements from a metadata set that are implemented, the greater the investment of resources that is required. In addition, the more data elements used, the greater the chances for error and divergence among record creators and implementations. CanCore’s work proceeds from the assumption that a few well-chosen and well-implemented metadata elements will enhance resource discovery in a cost-effective manner. Consequently, CanCore has defined a subset of 46 "active" LOM elements.

Vocabulary: (http://aspect.vocman.com/vbe/browse)

/**

1:General
This category groups the general information that describes this learning object as whole.
Size: 1
Order: Unspecified

*/

/** * *The sub-elements in this category are:

1.1 :Identifier
1.1.1:Catalog
1.1.2:Entry
1.2 :Title
1.3 :Language
1.4 :Description
1.5 :Keyword
1.6 :Coverage (no)
1.7 :Structure (no)
1.8 :Aggregation Level

*/

/** *

1.1 :Identifier (Smallest permitted maximum: 10 items)
1.1.1:Catalog

 (The name or designator of the identification or cataloging scheme for this entry. A namespace scheme.)

 CharacterString(smallest permitted maximum: 1000 char)

Examples: <catalog>URI</catalog>
1.1.2:Entry

 (The value of the identifier within the identification or cataloging scheme that designates or identifies this learning object. A namespace-specific string.)

 CharacterString(smallest permitted maximum: 1000 char)

Examples:
```
 		<catalog>ISBN</catalog>
```
```
 		<entry>0-89397-441-2</entry>
```
```
 	</identifier>
```

*/

/** *

1.2 :Title (1 item)
```
 (Name given to this learning object.)
```

 LangString (smallest permitted maximum: 1000 char)

Examples: <title>

 		<string language="eng">Circuit Switching in Action</string>

```
 	</title>
```

*/

/** *

1.3 :Language (Smallest permitted maximum: 10 items)

 (language or languages used within this learning object to communicate to the intended user.)

 Character String (smallest permitted maximum: 100 char)

Examples: eng-CA

*/

/** *

1.4 :Description (Smallest permitted maximum: 10 items)

 (A textual description of the content of this learning object.)

 LangString (smallest permitted maximum: 2000 char)

Examples:

 		<string language="eng">A Draft Paper outlining the educational principles and benchmarks to ...</string>

```
 		</description>
```

*/

/** *

1.5 :Keyword (Smallest permitted maximum: 10 items)

 (A keyword or phrase describing the topic of this learning object.)

 LangString (smallest permitted maximum: 1000 char)

Examples:

 			<string language="eng">spreadsheets</string>

```
 		</keyword>
```

*/

/** * * */

/** *

1.8 :Aggregation Level(1 item)

  (The functional granularity of this learning object.)

```
  Vocabulary(Enumerated)
```
Examples:
```
  		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
  		<value>2</value>
```
```
  	</aggregationLevel>
```

*/

/**

2:Life Cycle
This category describes the history and current state of this learning object and those entities that have affected this learning object during its evolution.
Size: 1
Order: Unspecified

*/

/** * *The sub-elements in this category are:

2.1 :Version
2.2 :Status
2.3 :Contribute
2.3.1:Role
2.3.2:Entity
2.3.3:Date

*/

/** *

2.1 :Version (1 item)

  LangString (smallest permitted maximum: 50char)

Examples:

 		<string language="none">1.2</string>

```
 	 </version>
```

*/

/** *

2.2 :Status (1 item)

  The completion status or condition of this learning object.

```
  Vocabulary(State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>draft</value>
```
```
 	 </status>
```

*/

/** *

2.3 :Contribute (Smallest permitted maximum: 30 items)
2.3.1:Role

  Kind of contribution.Note: Minimally, the Author(s) of the learning object should be described

```
  Vocabulary(State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>author</value>
```
```
 	 </role>
```
2.3.2:Entity

  The identification of and information about entities contributing to this learning object.

  The entities shall beordered as most relevant first.

  CharacterString(smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples:
```
 		BEGIN:VCARD
```
```
 		VERSION:3.0
```
```
 		N:Smith;John;W.
```
```
 		FN:John W. Smith
```
```
 		ORG:Athabasca University
```
```
 		END:VCARD
```
```
 	</entity>
```
2.3.3:Date
```
  The date of the contribution.
```
```
  DateTime
```
Examples:

 		<dateTime>2003-01-15T12:00:00.0</dateTime>

```
 	</date>
```

*/

/**

3: Meta-Metadata
This category describes this metadata record itself (rather than the learning object that this record describes).
This category describes how the metadata instance can be identified; who created this metadata instance; and how, when, and with what references.
NOTE: This is not the information that describes the learning object itself.
Size:1
Order:Unspecified

*/

/** *

The sub-elements in this category are:
3.1 :Identifier
3.1.1:Catalog
3.1.2:Entry
3.2 :Contribute
3.2.1:Role
3.2.2:Entity
3.2.3:Date
3.3 :Metadata Schema
3.4 :Language

*/

/** *

3.1 :Identifier (Smallest permitted maximum:10 items)
3.1.1:Catalog

  The name or designator of the identification or cataloging scheme for this entry. A namespace scheme.

  Character-String(smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples: TeleCampus
3.1.2:Entry

  The value of the identifier within the identification or cataloging scheme that designates

  or identifies this metadata record. A namespacespecific string.

  CharacterString (smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples: http://www.merlot.org/artifact/ArtifactDetail.po?oid=10000
```
 			00000000518662</entry>
```

*/

/**

3.2 :Contribute (Smallest permitted maximum:10 items)
3.2.1:Role

  Kind of contribution.Exactly one instance of this data element with the value Creator should exist.

```
  Vocabulary(State)
```
3.2.2:Entity

  The identification of and information about entities (i.e., people,organizations) contributing to this metadata instance.

  Character-String(smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples:
```
  		BEGIN:VCARD
```
```
  		VERSION:3.0
```
```
  		N:None;
```
```
  		FN:None
```
```
  		ORG:CAREO
```
```
  		END:VCARD
```
```
  	</entity>
```
3.2.3:Date
```
  The date of the contribution.
```
```
  DateTime
```
Examples:

  		<dateTime>2003-04-24T12:00:00.0</dateTime>

```
  	</date>
```

*/

/**

3.3 :Metadata Schema (Smallest permitted maximum:10 items)

  The name and version of the authoritative specification used to create this metadata instance.

  Character-String(smallest permitted maximum:30 char)

Examples: CanCorev2.0

*/

/**

3.4 :Language (1 item)
```
  Language of this metadata instance.
```

  Character-String(smallest permitted maximum:100 char)

Examples: fra

*/

/**

4:Technical
This category describes the technical requirements and characteristics of this learning object.
Size: 1
Order: Unspecified

*/

/** *

The sub-elements in this category are:
4.1 :Format
4.2 :Size
4.3 :Location
4.4 :Requirement (Not Important)
4.4.1 :OrComposite (Not Important)
4.4.1.1:Type (Not Important)
4.4.1.2:Name (Not Important)
4.4.1.3:Minimum Version (Not Important)
4.4.1.4:Maximum Version (Not Important)
4.5 :Installation Remarks (Not Important)
4.6 :Other Platform Requirements
4.7 :Duration

*/

/**

4.1 :Format (Smallest permitted maximum:40 items)

   Technical datatype(s) of (all the components of) this learning object.

   Character-String(smallest permitted maximum:500 char)

Examples: text/html

*/

/**

4.2 :Size (1 item)

   The size of the digital learning object in bytes (octets).

   The size is represented as a decimal value (radix10).

   Character-String(smallest permitted maximum:30 char)

Examples: 430024

*/

/**

4.3 :Location (Smallest permitted maximum:10 items)

   A string that is used to access this learning object..

   Character-String(smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples: http://www.cancore.ca/elementset1.1.html

*/

/**

4.4 :Explanation (Smallest permitted maximum:40 items)
4.4.1 :OrComposite (Smallest permitted maximum:40 items)
```
   Grouping of multiple requirements.
```

   The composite requirement is satisfied when one of the composite requirements is satisfied

4.4.1.1:Type

    The technology required to use this learning object, e.g., hardware, software,network.

```
    Vocabulary(State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>operating system</value>
```
```
 	</type>
```
4.4.1.2:Name

    Name of the required technology to use this learning object.

```
    Vocabulary(State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>ms-windows</value>
```
```
 	</name>
```

*4.4.1.3:Minimum Version

   Lowest possible version of the required technology to use this learning object

   CharacterString(smallest permitted maximum: 30char)

Examples: 5.5

*4.4.1.4:Maximum Version

   Highest possible version of the required technology to use this learning object.

   CharacterString(smallest permitted maximum: 30char)

Examples: 2000 */

/**

4.5 :Installation Remarks (1 item)

   Description of how to install this learning object.

   LangString (smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples:
```
 		<string language="eng">
```

 		Unzip the zip file and open index.html in your web browser.</string>

```
 	 </installationRemarks>
```

*/

/**

4.6 :Other Platform Requirements (1 item)

   Information about other software and hardware requirements

   LangString (smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples:
```
 		<string language="eng">
```

 			Pentium 100 processor with MP3 player and sound card</string>

```
 	</otherPlatformRequirements>
```

*/

/**

4.7 :Duration (1 item)

  Time a continuous learning object takes when played at intended speed

```
  Duration
```
Examples:
```
 		<duration>PT1H20M25S</duration>
```
```
 	</duration>
```

*/

/**

5:Educational
This category describes the key educational or pedagogic characteristics of this learning object.
NOTE: This is the pedagogic information essential to those involved in achieving a quality learning experience. The audience for this metadata includes teachers, managers, authors, and learners.
Size: Smallest permitted maximum: 100 items
Order:Unspecified

*/

/** *

The sub-elements in this category are:
5.1 :Interactivity Type (Not Important)
5.2 :Learning Resource Type
5.3 :Interactivity Level
5.4 :Semantic Density (Not Important)
5.5 :Intended End User Role
5.6 :Context
5.7 :Typical Age Range
5.8 :Difficulty (Not Important)
5.9 :Typical Learning Time
5.10:Description (Not Important)
5.11:Language

*/

/**

5.1 :Interactivity Type (1 item)

  Predominant mode of learning supported by this learning object.

```
  Vocabulary (State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>mixed</value>
```
```
 	</interactivityType>
```

*/

/**

5.2 :Learning Resource Type (Smallest permitted maximum:10 items)

   Specific kind of learning object. The most dominant kind shall be first.

```
   Vocabulary(State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>EdNA Curriculum
```

 		http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/go/cache/offonce/pid/621</source>

```
 		<value>training package</value>
```
```
 	</learningResourceType>
```

*/

/**

5.3 :Interactivity Level (1 item)

   The degree of interactivity characterizing this learning object. Interactivity in this context refers to the degree to

   which the learner can influence the aspect or behaviour oft he learning object.

```
   Vocabulary(Enumerated)
```
Examples:
```
  		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
  			<value>high</value>
```
```
  	</interactivityLevel>
```

*/

/**

5.4 :Semantic Density (1 item)

   The degree of conciseness of a learning object. The semantic density of a learning object may be

   estimated in terms of its size, span,or—in the case of self-timed resources such as audio or video— duration.

```
   Vocabulary(Enumerated)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>very low</value>
```
```
 	</semanticDensity>
```

*/

/**

5.5 :Intended End User Role (Smallest permitted maximum:10 items)

   Principal user(s) for which this learning object was designed, most dominant first.

```
   Vocabulary(State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>manager</value>
```
```
 	</intendedEndUserRole>
```

*/

/**

5.6 :Context (Smallest permitted maximum:10 items)

   The principal environment within which the learning and use of this learning object is intended to take place.

```
   Vocabulary(State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>training</value>
```
```
 	</context>
```

*/

/**

5.7 :Typical Age Range (Smallest permitted maximum:5 items)

   Age of the typical intended user. This data element shall refer to developmental age,

   if that would be different from chronological age.

   LangString(smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples:

 		<string language="none">6,7</string>

```
 	</typicalAgeRange>
```

*/

/**

5.8 :Difficulty (1 item)

   How hard it is to work with or through this learning object for the typical intended target audience.

```
   Vocabulary(Enumerated)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>very difficult</value>
```
```
 	</difficulty>
```

*/

/**

5.9 :Typical Learning Time (1 item)

   Approximate or typical time it takes to work with

   or through this learning object for the typical intended target audience.

```
   Duration
```
Examples:
```
 		<duration>PT5H20M25S</duration>
```
```
 	</typicalLearningTime>
```

*/

/**

5.10 :Description (Smallest permitted maximum:10 items)

    Comments on how this learning object is to be used.

    LangString(smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples:

 		<string language="eng">This resource can be very effective

 		when utilized as a generator for discussion in a grade two

 		classroom. However, it can also be used for individual

 		writing assignments for grade 4 students, or for grade 5

 		students who are challenged.</string>

```
 	</description>
```

*/

/**

5.11 :Language (Smallest permitted maximum:10 items)

    The human language used by the typical intended user of this learning object.

    CharacterString (smallest permitted maximum: 100 char)

Examples: eng-CA

*/

/**

6:Rights
This category describes the intellectual property rights and conditions of use for this learning object.
NOTE: The intent is to reuse results of ongoing work in the Intellectual Property Rights and ecommerce communities. This category currently provides the absolute minimum level of detail only.
Size: 1
Order: Unspecified

*/

/** *

The sub-elements in this category are:
6.1:Cost
6.2:Copyright and Other Restrictions
6.3:Description

*/

/**

6.1 :Cost (1 item)

   Whether use of this learning object requires payment.

```
   Vocabulary (State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>yes</value>
```
```
 	</cost>
```

*/

/**

6.2 :Copyright and Other Restrictions (1 item)

   Whether copyright or other restrictions apply to the use of this learning object.

```
   Vocabulary (State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>no</value>
```
```
 	</copyrightAndOtherRestrictions>
```

*/

/**

6.3 :Description (1 item)

   Comments on the conditions of use of this learning object.

   LangString (smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples:

 		<string language="eng">Of the majesty the Queen in the right of

```
 		Canada.</string>
```
```
 	</description>
```

*/

/**

7:Relation
This category defines the relationship between this learning object and other learning objects, if any.
To define multiple relationships, there may be multiple instances of this category. If there is more than one target learning object, then each target shall have a new relationship instance.
Size: Smallest permitted maximum:100 items
Order: Unordered

*/

/** * *The sub-elements in this category are:

7.1 :Kind
7.2 :Resource
7.2.1 :Identifier
7.2.1.1:Catalog
7.2.1.2:Entry
7.2.2 :Description (Not Important)

/ /*

7.1 :Kind (1 item)

    Nature of the relationship between this learning object and

    the target learning object, identified by 7.2:Relation.Resource.

```
    Vocabulary(State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>hasformat</value>
```
```
 	</kind>
```

*/

/**

7.2 :Resource (1 item)
7.2.1 :Identifier (Smallest permitted maximum:10 items)
7.2.1.1:Catalog

    The name or designator of the identification or cataloging scheme for this entry. A namespace scheme.

    CharacterString (smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples: DOI
7.2.1.2:Entry

    The value of the identifier within the identification or cataloging scheme that designates

    or identifies the target learning object. A namespace-specific string

    CharacterString (smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples: http://www.dublincore.org/documents/dces/
7.2.2 :Description

    Description of the target learning object.

    LangString (smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples:

 		<string language="eng">An Introduction to Perl: The

 		textbook this online tutorial is based on.</string>

```
 	</description>
```

*/

/**

8:Annotation
This category provides comments on the educational use of this learning object, and information on when and by whom the comments were created.
This category enables educators to share their assessments of learning objects, suggestions for use, etc.
Size: Smallest permitted maximum: 30 items
Order: Unordered

*/

/** *

The sub-elements in this category are:
8.1:Entity
8.2:Date
8.3:Description

*/

/**

8.1 :Entity (1 item)

    Entity (i.e., people, organizations) that created this annotation.

    Character-String (smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples:
```
 		BEGIN:VCARD
```
```
 		VERSION:3.0
```
```
 		N:Smith;John;W.
```
```
 		FN:John W. Smith
```
```
 		ORG: Athabasca University
```
```
 		END:VCARD
```
```
 	</entity>
```

*/

/**

8.2 :Date (1 item)
```
    Date this annotation was created.
```
```
    DateTime
```
Examples:

 		<dateTime>2003-01-15T12:00:00.0</dateTime>

```
 	</date>
```

*/

/**

8.3 :Description (1 item)
```
    The content of this annotation.
```

    LangString (smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples:

 		<string language="eng">I highly recommend the Web page as ... </string>

```
 	</description>
```

*/

/**

9:Classification
This category describes where this learning object falls within a particular classification system. To define multiple classifications there may be multiple instances of this category.
Size: Smallest permitted maximum: 40 items
Order: Unordered

*/

/** *

The sub-elements in this category are:
9.1 :Purpose
9.2 :Taxon Path
9.2.1 :Source
9.2.2 :Taxon
9.2.2.1:Id
9.2.2.2:Entry
9.3 :Description (Not Important)
9.4 :Keyword

*/

/**

9.1 :Purpose (1 item)

    The purpose of classifying this learning object.

```
    Vocabulary (State)
```
Examples:
```
 		<source>LOMv1.0</source>
```
```
 		<value>discipline</value>
```
```
 	</purpose>
```

*/

/**

9.2 :Taxon Path (Smallest permitted maximum:15 items)
9.2.1 :Source

    The name of the classification system.

    LangString (smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples: DCC NLC-BNC http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/caninfo
9.2.2 :Taxon (Smallest permitted maximum : 15 items)
9.2.2.1:Id

   The identifier of the taxon, such as a number or letter combination provided by the source of the taxonomy.

   Character-String(smallest permitted maximum:100 char)

Examples: 971
```
 		<entry>
```

 			<string language="eng">Canada</string>

```
 		</entry>
```
9.2.2.2:Entry
```
    The textual label of the taxon.
```

    LangString (smallest permitted maximum:500 char)

Examples: 971
```
 		<entry>
```

 			<string language="eng">Canada</string>

```
 		</entry>
```

*/

/**

9.3 :Description (1 item)

    Description of the learning object relative to the stated 9.1:Classification.

    LangString(smallest permitted maximum:2000 char)

Examples:

 		<string language="eng">This resource is not yet...</string>

```
 	</description>
```

*/

/**

9.4 :Keyword (Smallest permitted maximum:40 items)

    Keywords and phrases descriptive of the learning object relative to the stated 9.1:Classification.

    LangString(smallest permitted maximum:1000 char)

Examples:

 		<string language="eng">educational technology</string>

```
 	</keyword>
```

*/

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