Framework and tools strand Aims -

1. Framework and tools strand Aims - • Develop a generic technical framework for e-learning that supports a wide range of pedagogical models and institutional types. • Develop open source toolkits and interfaces to facilitate implementation at an institutional level. • Establish institutional pilots to evaluate the generic technical framework and the tools that facilitate implementation. • Develop practical guidelines and toolkits to enable institutions to install and implement the technical framework as the basic structure of an e-learning system

2. Aim • producing and testing a common technical framework to underpin e-learning system and developing integration toolkits to support the frameworks adoption.

3. Strand Structure 1) Develop and refine the Framework throughout strand lifecycle in collaboration with broader e-learning and educational technology development community. 2) Fund an interactive cycle of technical development projects to produce software libraries that enable developers (from commercial as well as open-source communities) to create applications that ‘Provide Services ’ and ‘Consume Services’ defined within the framework. 3) Fund a cycle demonstrator projects are aimed at testing the service definitions and toolkits in actual use. 4) Commission a series of supporting studies to support frameworks development.

4. Framework Approach • Breaks MLE function into smaller components call ‘services’ • Organise into layer model, dependant on service they offer (Service Orientated Architecture ) • Use ‘web services’ and open standards to integrate components

5. The ELF Today http://www.elframework.org/

6. Progress to date • First 8 integration toolkits released • First Demonstrator projects selected • 2nd round of Toolkits selected • Framework website • ELF developer forum launched • Linked to DEL – call for ELF reference models • Expanding ELF to cover research and introducing stewardship model • Rename – Open Technology Framework

8. Programme Structure 1Development Activity Short (6mth) iterative development cycles Technical Dev project strand (800K) • 3 x 6mth pure technical development • Provide libraries (not complete applications) to support deployment of services and service consumers • Support development of both commercial and open-source applications • Enable deployment of service-oriented architectures within education • Aim to demonstrate practical web service architecture Demonstration project strand (600k) • 3x6mth of test toolkits to link systems • implement and pilot toolkits to join-up or enhance functionality of e-learning system • to trial toolkits (that is install, test, demonstrate and evaluate), lead to improvements Supporting Studies (3x30k)

9. 1st set of Toolkits • Assessment (IMS Question and Test)-APIS (Assessment Provision through Interoperable Segments) • Enterprise and Timetabling - SWEET.net and CETIS IMS Enterprise Toolkit • Simple Sequencing -  ISIS (Integrating Simple Sequencing) • Learning Design- SLeD (Service-based Learning Design) & Coppercore • Resource Discovery -D+ (Brokerage for Deep and Distributed e-Learning Resources Discovery) and MDC (Middleware for Distributed Cognition) & JAFER • Personal Development Planning (PDP) -WS4RL toolkit (PDP) • Portal Services - PSE (Portal Services Embedder)

10. 2nd round of toolkits • Assessment + Marking QTI • Strathclyde x 2 • Cambridge • Resource Lists • Edinburgh • Learning Design • Open University • Registry + attendance • Brockenhurst

11. 1st Round of Demonstrator