ADEPT Learning Object Metadata Model

Version: 3

1. Excel Version (Full)
2. HTML Version (Required)

Date: 15 May 2001

1. Introduction:

The descriptions of resources, objects, items in the ADEPT Catalog employ the ADEPT Learning Object Metadata Model (ADEPT LOMM). This model is used primarily for the description of digital learning objects, though it can be used to describe "any entity, digital or non-digital that may be used for learning, education or training." [6] The model uses the approach to metadata content standard representation recommended by the Federal Geographic Data Committee. [5] However, the content (elements and their values) are based on the Metadata Framework of the Digital Library for Earth Science Education (DLESE). [3] The DLESE Metadata Framework uses the IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc. (IMS) specification [7], based on the Learning Object Metadata (LOM) developed by the Learning Technologies Standards Committee (LTSC) of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers [6]. Modifications have been made to these approaches and frameworks using the guiding principles to define the scope of the conceptual model.

2. Scope or Guiding Principles for ADEPT LOMM Development:

1. Metadata and associated vocabulary development are expensive processes and therefore, the model will borrow from existing metadata standards, schemes, and vocabularies whenever possible. "Complex metadata needs are best met by separate but functionally focused metadata schemes, relatively orthogonal and independently maintained by communities of expertise and practice." [4]
2. The conceptual data model must accommodate the development of additional metadata in a modular and extensible fashion since we envisage that metadata needs may change during the lifecycle of a learning object.
3. Despite the name and focus of the framework upon educational objects, we should be able to describe or co-opt the description of other resources and objects for search and retrieval via the ADEPT Catalog, thereby enabling their functional use (by both humans and software) in learning environments.
4. Descriptions must be mapped to relevant ADL search buckets [8] and new search buckets identified, if appropriate.
5. It must be possible to semi-automatically maintain crosswalks and automatically generate the metadata files for objects in standards such as Dublin Core, IMS and demonstrate true multi-organizational collaboration.

3. ADEPT Collections (Collection Boundaries):

1. Physical Format: ADEPT will not attempt to collect or describe non-digital data.
2. Educational Purpose and Nature: Resources that have been created for educational purposes are the primary collection objects, resources, items and works. These include a variety of learning materals such as lecture presentations, syllabi, computer-based exercises & activities, field guides, etc. However, non-educationally focused (NEF) resources can also be described using the metadata model [9]. NEF resources are items that have been created without an educational objective, but which can nevertheless be used for teaching and learning purposes. Just as it is important for Digital Libraries (DLs) to be able to describe non-digital formats, it is essential to recognize that learning spaces in DLs can be created virtually and through software tools that combine and present resources for teaching/learning tasks. Such experimentation with virtual construction is only possible if the ADEPT Catalog includes a diversity of resources. For educational purposes, elements besides form, format, subject/topic, field of study, and copyright are: status, copyright, educational objective expressed in scientific reasoning learning outcome terms or teaching/learning processes (not content outcomes), type of interactivity, level of interactivity, duration, intended use, and learning context.
3. Subject/Topic/Idea: Objects and resources in ADEPT Collections cover concepts in Physical and Human Geography (primary collection areas of focus are: fluvial processes & processes of human diffusion). An ADEPT goal is to improve the geographic thinking and scientific reasoning skills of users of the collection materials. Therefore, properties/attributes of items in terms of their discipline (field of study), geography (subject), spatial and temporal coverage are key aspects for description and identification of relationships and DL manipulation tools that enhance the acquisition of scientific reasoning skills. Geographic processes in their spatial and temporal scales and thematic systems contexts (see the Conceptual Model of Earth System processes diagram [12]) must be specifically described in great detail along with higher order (scientific reasoning, not content level) educational characteristics and uses.
4. Form/Type of Resource: The focus is on geospatial digital data forms & formats such as:
   1. Maps (specify and limit formats; for example for fluvial processes select from ADL DRGs, DEMs, DOQQs
   2. Measurements and observations (real time data): for example, comma-delimited ascii *.txt, *.xls
   3. Satellite imagery (select from ADL: AVHRR, Landsat, SPOT, NAPP)
   4. Software, Code, Tools that are web-accessible or deployable for computer/simulation modelling in geography.
      ADEPT proposes to describe a complex information object (complex digital resource) known as computer/simulation models. Components of simulation models are:
      1. Theory or Hypothesis (form: text, article, image, experiment, case study)
      2. Observations and Measurements (form: data; formats: xls, txt)
      3. Computer Hardware (form: none; description provided using metadata in technical category of elements in ADEPT LOMM)
      4. Computer Software (form: software, code; formats: executables; descriptions can specify computing platforms, installation remarks))
      5. Animation (form: animations; formats: jpg, gif, avi)
      6. Visualization (form: visualizations; formats: avi, jpg)
      7. Report, Review, Annotation, Experiment, Article (formats: html, txt, pdf)

4. Tools and Functionality of Metadata:

1. The Basic Design;
2. An Overview of Streamflow Data (rather Fluvial Processes Data)
   Software functionality similar to what's demonstrated at the Climate Data Library and at numerous other statistical/mathematical JAVA applet and scientific simulation sites is where the iterative process of ADEPT metadata model development begins to strive towards. [12]

5. Definitions:

1. FGDC Approach to Metadata Content Standard Development and Representation

Compound Elements
A compound element is a group of data elements and other compound elements. All compound elements are described by data elements, either directly or through intermediate compound elements. Compound elements represent higher-level concepts that cannot be represented by individual data elements.
Short Names
Short names consisting of eight alphabetic characters or less are included to assist in implementation of the standard.
Data Elements
A data element is a logically primitive item of data. The entry for a data element includes the name of the data element, the definition of the data element, a description of the values that can be assigned to the data element, and a short name for the data element. The form for the definition of the data elements is:
Data element name -- definition.
Type:
Domain:
Short Name:

The information about the values for the data elements include a description of the type of the value, and a description of the domain of the valid values. The type of the data element describes the kind of value to be provided. The choices are "integer" for integer numbers, "real" for real numbers, "text" for ASCII characters, "date" for day of the year, and "time" for time of the day.

The domain describes valid values that can be assigned to the data element. The domain may specify a list of valid values, references to lists of valid values, or restrictions on the range of values that can be assigned to a data element.

The domain also may note that the domain is free from restrictions, and any values that can be represented by the "type" of the data element can be assigned. These unrestricted domains are represented by the use of the word "free" followed by the type of the data element (that is, free text, free date, free real, free time, free integer). Some domains can be partly, but not completely, specified.

Optionality
The standard categorizes elements as being mandatory, or optional as follows:

• Mandatory elements must be provided.
• Mandatory-if-applicable elements must be provided if the data set exhibits the defined characteristic
• Optional elements are provided at the discretion of the metadata producer.

For comparison with other metadata standards, mandatory elements are referred to as "core" elements.

The ADEPT LOMM uses compound elements, data elements, data type, domain, and optionality. It modifies the optionality and data type sections as explained later under the section titled ADEPT LOMM Additions & Modifications.

2. DLESE/IMS/IEEE LOM Metadata Frameworks

5. ADEPT LOMM Additions & Modifications:

Plans are to add an extensive set of elements to enable comprehensive description of the properties of a digital information object called computational/simulation models. [2].

It organizes the mandatory elements from all categories to form a required "core" set of elements that must be present for all resources, objects, items in the ADEPT Catalog.

Other modifications include:

1. Optionality of a category takes precedence over compound or data elements. That is, if the category itself is optional, then elements under it cannot become a part of the required "core."
2. Extending optionality with conditional. That is, the elements under conditional are only described when they meet a certain condition.
3. Type of Data is extended with codelist, enumeration, list, appropriate standard, and name of controlled vocabulary, classification scheme, or thesaurus.
4. Two pedagogical elements, educational objective and function/use are adapted to enable the description of higher cognitive order processes related to scientific reasoning and type of media used.
5. ADEPT LOMM elements are mapped to ADL generic query search buckets. An educational bucket can be proposed, if necessary, to enable searching using the ADL/ADEPT system/search engine.

References:

Notes on Resources for Collection Development