Towards Interoperability and Reusability of Learning Resource: a SCORM-conformant Courseware for Computer Science Education Changtao Qu Knowledge Based Systems Institute of Computer Engineering University of Hannover Appelstr. 4, D-30167, Hannover, Germany qu@kbs.uni-hannover.de Wolfgang Nejdl Knowledge Based Systems Institute of Computer Engineering University of Hannover Appelstr. 4, D-30167, Hannover, Germany nejdl@kbs.uni-hannover.de ABSTRACT In this paper we present our design and implementation of a SCORM-conformant CS courseware based on the latest ADL SCORM specification 1.2 released on Oct. 1, 2001. All learning resources contained in an existing Java course are re-designed according to the SCORM Content Model and further described with corresponding Assets-, SCO-, and Content Aggregation meta-data. Also the course structure is re-constructed taking advantage of SCORM Content Packaging, which provides a standardized way to represent the aggregation of learning resources and further exchange them between different learning management systems. Moreover, a Web-based SCORM Run- Time Environment is implemented using JSP, Java Servlet, and JavaScript, which is able to dynamically render course structure into its corresponding Web presentation on the basis of pre- defined SCORM Content Packaging Application Profiles. Our SCORM-conformant development constitutes an early exploration to the great potential of SCORM specification. Categories and Subject Descriptors K.3.2 [Computers and Education]: Computer and Information Science Education – Computer science education, Curriculum. General Terms Design, Standardization. Keywords Sharable Content Object Reference Model, Meta-data, Content Packaging, Learning Resource, Learning Management System, SCORM Run-Time Environment 1. INTRODUCTION Since the summer semester 1999, the joint CS1 course “Introduction to Java Programming” (Info1 for short)[9] has been shared between three German universities and the Free University of Bozen in Italy. During the past two years, Info1 has continuously been under evolution driven by the common effort from our four partner universities. More and more learning resources are developed and integrated into the courseware, and more and more learning content aggregations, e.g., new course structure, new course modules, are generated in order to adapt Info1 to different learning objectives at different universities. The need of exchanging these newly accumulated learning experience between the partner universities, especially the exchange of learning materials at various aggregation levels, is becoming increasingly notable and urgent for the further improvement of Info1. In the winter semester 2001/2002, this need is further highlighted by another beginning collaboration with the University of Essen, Germany, which focuses primarily on the widespread exchange of Java learning resources based on some popular learning resource specifications. In fact, since the beginning of 2001, several notable learning resource specifications have gradually become mature after many years’ effort, which provide us with new opportunities to construct reusable and interoperable Learning Management Systems (LMS) and further exchange “standardized” learning resources between these LMSs. Among three principal learning resource specifications: ADL (Advanced Distributed Learning) SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model)[2], IMS Learning Resource Meta-data Specification [8], and IEEE LOM (Learning Object Meta-data)[6], ADL SCORM arouses our special interest. As a matter of fact, SCORM smartly references IMS and LOM as well as other specifications and further integrates these specifications with one another to form a more complete and easier to implement model. With regard to meta- data definition, SCORM directly references IMS Learning Resource Meta-data Information Model and its XML Binding Specification, which is itself based on IEEE LOM. More importantly, in its latest specification 1.2 released on Oct. 1, 2001, SCORM has defined its own Content Packaging Information Model that extends the IMS Content Packaging Information Model [7] with several SCORM-specific elements. As we’ll discuss in more detail in section 2.3, the new SCORM CP (Content Packaging) makes great sense when used to represent the course structure, or physically exchange learning resources at various aggregation levels between different LMSs.