D6.1.3

=E-learning infrastructure standards are defined for all technologies used in the design, (re)development and delivery of courses. =

Evidence
Heddergott (2006) describe the purpose and process by which international standards are created. It is important for digital products to be interoperable and standardized in order that consumers are able to evaluate the functionality and applicability of e-learning resources. Standards serve several purposes. They unify relevant terms, define procedures and ideal production processes, assist with quality assurance, describe quality criteria, provide instruments and methods for reusability, and promote transparency to the market. Heddergott notes, however, that standards still require quality e-learning content in order to deliver a quality learning product.

Ad-hoc development of e-learning environments has resulted in the proliferation of a wide variety of materials and systems designed to support student learning. Many of these are developed without consideration of how they appear to students moving from course to course, how they can be reused over time, or how to learn from the experience of others in developing effective materials. Standards and guidelines can support more effective practice (Marshall, 2004) and their use can result in cheaper, more useful materials to support student learning. Standards are also key to the ‘services’ model gaining currency as a tool for managing the growing complexity of the physical e-learning infrastructure.

Resources
Evidence of capability in this area is seen through the use of consistent, documented practice that reuses previous experience within the institution to build capability. Formal standards are used where available to inform and guide practice and ensure quality and reusability of materials. These standards and guidelines are communicated widely within the institution to encourage wider adoption by teaching staff.

The Quality, Interoperability and Standards in E-learning report (2004) begins by noting that innumerable course components and systems have been developed independently but that for systems to interoperate they need to ‘understand’ each other. Standards specifically for e-learning will provide the following four advantages: durability, interoperability, accessibility, and reusability. The QUIS report discusses the definition and characteristics of the six most widely adopted standards for educational resources and environments.