| Repository
Content Development
The key to this package is to develop a critical mass
of content to test the capabilities of the
network.
TéléEducation NB has a released a second iteration of CanLom, a metadata repository and they are also researching the concept of a learning object market place through their work on KnowledgeAgora.COM.
The Package Managers are TéléEducation NB and Simon Fraser University with Participation from the University of Waterloo and
Téléuniversité.
Digital
Rights Management
The development of a rights management system is
an important dimension of the eduSource project.The explorations
and research of the National Research Council (NRC) leads the digital
rights management (DRM) approach.
The DRM suite consists of 3 components: a Vendor Broker System, A Purchaser Broker System; and a Rights Enabled Object Browser.
As of the mid-term project mark the DRM component shifted in the order of delivery to put more emphasis on the software. Cross-platform tools are coming out of the project such as a very powerful ODRL generator and a ODRL to Human Readable form XSLT sheet.
The Package Managers are TéléEducation NB with the NRC.
Testing
and Evaluation
Télé-université and Netera (with their associates at
the Academic Technologies for Learning Unit at the University
of Alberta and with support from all of the project partners is providing to eduSource an extensive
evaluation package designed to maximize learning, knowledge
accumulation and dissemination and knowledge transfer.
The evaluation component includes partner interviews, surveys, conference evaluations, and an alpha test of the edusource Suite of Tools.
The Package Managers are Télé-université and Netera.
Metadata
Development
In order for modular, digital educational resources to be discovered, shared and re-used, they need to be described systematically and consistently. The systematic description of these digital resources is known as "metadata" --data about digital resource data.
Conventions and standards have been developed and adopted internationally for educational resource (or "learning object") metadata. CanCore provides internationally-recognized leadership in the development and adaptation of these standards and conventions. CanCore outlines best practices for the use of learning resource metadata in projects and implementations. These best practices have been codified in an extensive "CanCore Guidelines" document, which has been developed with the input of organizations across Canada and internationally, and is available at no charge. Visit www.cancore.ca for more information.
The development of the CanCore metadata profile is one of the most important deliverables of the entire e-Learning Program. eduSource will build on this success and further Canada's leadership in this area through the coordinated efforts of TéléEducation NB and Athabasca University, with the collaboration of Télé-université's LICEF.
The Package Managers are Athabasca University and TéléEducation NB with key participation from Télé-université.
Software
Development
Various eduSource partners under the leadership of Gilbert
Paquette, the Canada Research Chair on Telelearning
Engineering, and Télé-université's associate, Technologie
Cogigraph Inc. are developing the eduSource Suite of Tools for the implementation and management of learning
object repositories. The eduSource Suite of Tools will form
the foundation of the pan-Canadian repository network.
An alpha version of the Suite of Tools will be released in early 2004.
The Package Manager is Télé-université with key participation
from Athabasca University; TéléEducation NB; Simon Fraser University;and Learning Commons, University of Calgary (in association
with Netera).
Hardware
Integration
Netera has been working to develop a hardware specification for learning object
repositories and to create a physical testbed for a
large-scale, cross-country implementation trial of learning
object repositories using Ca*net 4. This work will
build on, enhance and integrate existing servers established
through CANARIE projects such as BELLE, POOL and SavoirNet,
but will also provide the means for additional repositories
to be added to the network.
The Package Manager is Netera in association with Simon Fraser University.
Business
and Management Models
During the course of this project, a business and management
strategy has been explored. Looking at the initial explorations of other CANARIE projects such
as the barter model of CLOE (Cooperative Learning Object
Exchange), the eCommerce Business Model study commissioned
by BELLE, the SavoirNet hybrid cooperative and commercial
model and the open source deliberations of POOL and
CAREO has guided this work. To this end a variety of funding models have been assessed. include memberships,
subscriptions, support and service contracts, licenses
and pay-per-use.
In addition, the development of an Advisory Council comprised of both industry, education and government leaders has been formed to look at issues of sustainability.
The Package Manager is Netera with key participation
from, NewMic; TéléEducation NB; Télé-université; and the University
of Waterloo.
Community
Building
A critical step in the eduSource project is to develop networks of exemplary Canadian
communities for the design, development, evaluation
and exchange of learning objects.
The University of Waterloo through the Co-operative Learning Object Exchange (CLOE) program is working to establish a collaborative design and development environment which creates rich and reusable learning objects and acts as the mechanism to communicate this work across the province of Ontario.
In conferences and 'camp' workshops hosted across the country CLOE is engaging learning institutions on the design, development and reuse of learning objects.
The Package Manager is University of Waterloo with key
Participation from Netera.
Project
Management, Co-ordination and Communications
In consultation with all its partners, Netera provides
project management, accounting and administration for
the project as well as fulfilling the reporting requirements
as stipulated by CANARIE. This plan builds from a
number of techniques developed in previous projects
including an extensive bilingual web site,
electronic newsletters,
stakeholders training and information forums, and face-to-face meetings. All of these approaches have been employed
to communicate to both internal and external audiences.
The Package Manager is Netera with key participation
from all partners.
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