RAMLET: a Conceptual Model for Resource Aggregation for Learning, Education, and Training

Katrien Verbert, Nancy J. Hoebelheinrich, Kerry Blinco, Scott Lewis, Wilbert Kraan
2016 D-Lib Magazine  
The Resource Aggregation Model for Learning, Education and Training (RAMLET) is a new IEEE standard, IEEE Std 1484.13.1™-2012, that has been developed to facilitate interoperability of existing standards for multimedia resource aggregations. Examples of such standards include METS and MPEG-21 Digital Item Declaration. These standards are used on a large scale for describing the structure of a collection of multimedia content. In addition, multiple structures can be specified to provide
more » ... paths through the same content. A limitation lies in the fact that they cannot interoperate. For instance, content structured in MPEG-21 cannot be reused in a METS context. This article presents different use cases in which the RAMLET standard enables interoperability of resource aggregation formats. We describe the RAMLET standard and mappings to other standards. In addition, we discuss lessons learned from the development process of this standard and future research challenges. Use Cases This section presents several use cases that illustrate the need for the standard. The first use case illustrates exchange and reuse of resource aggregations among systems using different standards and specifications. Use Case 2 illustrates how the use of RAMLET can enable interoperability of systems that use their own internal format for resource aggregations. Seven other use cases have been described in [8] . Use Case 1 This use case addresses exchange and reuse of resource aggregations among systems using different specifications. For example, a system using METS might import resource aggregations that use IMS CP and MPEG-21 DID, and create a new resource aggregation. Usage scenario A content author in a university is developing a new resource aggregation and wishes to include resources from different sources, including learning resources, reference materials, and research data. The author searches for appropriate materials and retrieves each resource to an authoring system. The resources are exported D-Lib Magazine of information and educational technology specification efforts including that of the ESIP Federation's Data Stewardship Committee, and Semantic Web Cluster, METS (Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard), PREMIS (for preservation metadata), IMS Global specifications related to packaging, repository and resource list interoperability, digital rights expression and management, and the IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee's RAMLET project. Kerry Blinco is the Assistant Director Digital Initiatives at the Northern Territory Library. Throughout a varied career in ICT in libraries and learning she has utilised the power of standards to provide innovative systemic opportunities to support service strategies. Kerry is currently a member of Standards Australia IT-19 and Chairs the IEEE LTSC WG-13 (RAMLET) Working Group. She has been a member of ISO, OASIS and IMS Global standards committees. D-Lib Magazine Scott Lewis is a technical editor and writer from Austin, Texas. He has specialized in computer-based learning standards and documentation primarily related to portability and interoperability. Wilbert Kraan joined Cetis in 2002 as the Cetis Journalist. From there, he entered specification development work, starting with IMS where he became the chair of the Content Packaging 1.2 group. That specification is now an ISO standard. Wilbert has also worked on software architectures, first in an international partnership. Later, he moved into Enterprise Architecture modelling, and was instrumental in introducing the ArchiMate Modelling language to the UK higher education sector. More recently, Wilbert has championed the IMS Question and Test Interoperability 2.1 specification. Wilbert has also worked in a number of data integration projects and specifications.
doi:10.1045/march2016-verbert fatcat:tfxmfi3duzdopdghcpxmmc7i7m