Information Scotland The Journal of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland ISSN 1743-5471 Issue contents | Journal contents | About the online edition of the journal February 2006 Volume 4(1)

Quality: e-learning

Certain about standards

Hazel Lauder and Cathy Kearney explain the importance of standards compliance in systems and software, in the context of e-learning.

Many libraries act as learning centres and from time to time have to assess their needs in terms of e-content and perhaps learner management systems if they have an active role in course or learner tracking.

A SLIC-hosted E-learning Showcase Event in December demonstrated the growth of highly sophisticated learning platforms and content and highlighted the diverse needs of communities.

The People’s Network project brought free internet access to all 545 public libraries in Scotland and enabled them to widen access to, and increase awareness of, ICT and online information. Libraries have since realised the potential of ICT for transformational change and are embracing the learning centre concept. Broadband access and the possibilities offered for high speed media-rich content has encouraged the growth of web-based learning in public libraries.

Libraries are ideally placed to support novice users of ICT; the informal and relaxed atmosphere helps put people at ease and the availability of trained staff assists people in taking their first steps.

Learning centres in public libraries attract people who have acquired basic skills and who want to move on to an accredited ICT qualification. Many libraries have developed their role in this area by offering open learning facilities and becoming learndirect scotland branded learning centres.

Learndirect Scotland aims to support learning, at a time, place, pace and style that suits individual needs and brings advantages such as strong branding, access to an extensive catalogue of online learning materials and support for learners.

Libraries which act as learndirect Centres may use the Skillnet learning management system for accessing and managing learning. Skillnet allows learners to access e-learning, self-register and launch courses and produce tracking reports which can be accessed by learning centre staff. However, some libraries may prefer to consider different learning platforms or none at all depending on the level of learner, course and management tracking they employ.

What is a learning platform? A ‘learning platform’ or learning management system combines a range of functions such as learning delivery, learner and course tracking, collaborative communication and learner support. Skillnet is one example of a ‘learning platform’ and other examples are Blackboard and the increasingly popular open source Moodle. Information on vendor and open source learning platform products in use is available at the JISC Regional Support Centre Eastern learning platform page.

Central to any decision-making process on purchase is ‘standards’. Standards compliance means that your systems and software are interoperable, but just as important, deciding on standards compliance can be a future-proofing, cost-effective decision.

Management of e-learning software and learners in libraries represents a significant investment of time, money and resources. High quality services require thought, planning, skilful decision making and above all, informed choices based on future proofing principles.

Libraries will use other factors when selecting a learning platform such as the level of IT and product support available to them, the range of functions libraries are likely to use, the degree of staff involvement with course management and learner tracking. But first and foremost, the question potential purchasers must ask is, is it interoperable and standards compliant?

Librarians are familiar with the concept of interoperability and standards and learning technology standards and specifications follow similar principles. Bodies such as the IMS Global Learning Consortium, whose membership includes almost all the learning technology systems suppliers as well as publishers active in e-learning, are developing learning technology interoperability specifications. One such specification is SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model). SCORM is a specification that aims to describe how learning content and the systems that manage that content can interoperate in a standard way. SLIC advises that libraries ensure that e-learning material and learning platforms are SCORM Compliant.

Further information on standards and interoperability can be obtained from CETIS.

Many librarians are building strong and trusted reputations as informal learning centres with supportive staff. Libraries offer a varied range of learning experiences for users. The showcase event highlighted the need for SLIC to ensure that guidance and advice on these developments is easily available to the community and we are working in partnership with relevant bodies to take this forward.

Cathy Kearney is Assistant Director, Scottish Library and Information Council. Hazel Lauder is Service Development Manager, Scottish Library and Information Council.

Information Scotland Vol. 4(1) February 2006

Information Scotland is delivered online by the SAPIENS electronic publishing service based at the Centre for Digital Library Research. SLAINTE (Scottish libraries across the Internet) offers further information about librarianship and information management in Scotland.