Article: Towards a learning path specification Journal: International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning (IJCEELL) 2008 Vol.18 No.1 pp.77 - 97 Abstract: Flexible lifelong learning requires comparability and exchange-ability of courses, programmes and other types of learning actions both in a national and international context. In order to achieve comparability and exchangeability, a uniform and meaningful way to describe learning paths towards attainment of learning outcomes is needed. This paper identifies requirements for a Learning Path (LP) specification, drawing on literature in the field of curriculum design and lifelong learning and on recent initiatives to enhance comparability and exchangeability of learning actions. Two existing specifications designed to describe learning programmes, eXchanging Course-Related Information (XCRI) and IMS Learning Design (IMS-LD), are investigated to see whether they can fulfil the identified requirements. The fact that IMS-LD has a generic way to define completion of learning paths as well as an expression language to describe all kinds of conditions makes IMS-LD a more likely candidate. A learning path model is presented identifying the main elements of an LP specification and mapping them on IMS-LD. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Towards a learning path specification

Authors: Jose Janssen, Adriana Berlanga, Hubert Vogten, Rob Koper

Addresses: Educational Technology Expertise Centre, Open University of the Netherlands, Valkenburgerweg 177, NL-PO Box 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands. ' Educational Technology Expertise Centre, Open University of the Netherlands, Valkenburgerweg 177, NL-PO Box 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands. ' EEducational Technology Expertise Centre, Open University of the Netherlands, Valkenburgerweg 177, NL-PO Box 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands. ' Educational Technology Expertise Centre, Open University of the Netherlands, Valkenburgerweg 177, NL-PO Box 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands

Abstract: Flexible lifelong learning requires comparability and exchange-ability of courses, programmes and other types of learning actions both in a national and international context. In order to achieve comparability and exchangeability, a uniform and meaningful way to describe learning paths towards attainment of learning outcomes is needed. This paper identifies requirements for a Learning Path (LP) specification, drawing on literature in the field of curriculum design and lifelong learning and on recent initiatives to enhance comparability and exchangeability of learning actions. Two existing specifications designed to describe learning programmes, eXchanging Course-Related Information (XCRI) and IMS Learning Design (IMS-LD), are investigated to see whether they can fulfil the identified requirements. The fact that IMS-LD has a generic way to define completion of learning paths as well as an expression language to describe all kinds of conditions makes IMS-LD a more likely candidate. A learning path model is presented identifying the main elements of an LP specification and mapping them on IMS-LD.

Keywords: lifelong learning; learning path specification; metadata; learning outcomes; competences; eXchanging Course-Related Information; XCRI; IMS Learning Design; IMS-LD; curriculum design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2008.016077

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2008 Vol.18 No.1, pp.77 - 97

Published online: 05 Dec 2007 *

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Title: Towards a learning path specification

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