Enabling a Global Infrastructure for Learning Content
Daniel R. Rehak, Ph.D.
Professor & Technical Director
Learning Systems Architecture Lab
Web: http://lsal.org/
Email: lsal [at] lsal [dot] org
Abstract
Successful infrastructures (communications, transportation, commerce) evolve from collections of independent, disconnected, local systems into larger national or global networks. Traditionally, there are several triggers that initiate the move from local to global: a need for ubiquitous service; the recognition of the need and the power of integrating or federating the existing local systems; stable, effective technology; light-weight enabling interoperability standards; and effective governance, policies and politics to encourage and support building the wider infrastructure.
Are we at the trigger point for building a global infrastructure to support learning objects? We have local systems and existing local content repositories, effective technology, and core interoperability standards. We have argued for the need for ubiquitous, seamless access to content, and everyone recognizes the power of global networks. Believing that the need, timing, technology and standards are now right, the ADL initiative has embarked on developing CORDRA (Content Object Repository Discovery and Registration/Resolution Architecture) with the goal of creating a global learning content infrastructure.
We will present the triggers that traditionally accompany the move to creating infrastructure and compare them to the current situation surrounding learning objects and content repositories. A broad overview of CORDRA will illustrate how the technical and project activities align with the expansion from local to global. We will conclude with a discussion of the planned next steps.