Metadata is often described as "data about data", and reflects the kind of information found in a traditional library catalogue. Metadata is used to provide information about a resource that does not necessarily need to be displayed within the content itself.
In the context of learning resources, it is structured information about a print or digital resource describing the resource itself, as well as aspects such as its creation and administration, copyright conditions and technical features (eg size, format).
A metadata record consists of a set of elements (sometimes called fields or attributes) that describe different aspects of a resource. Examples of information commonly stored as a metadata record may include authorship, title, publication date, description, copyright information, and subject keywords.
A metadata schema defines this set of elements, the rules for their use, and any controlled vocabularies to be used.
With the growth of interest in the exchange of learning objects and their rapid increase in numbers, the IMS project undertook the development of a metadata schema directly oriented towards their use. The Learning Object Metadata (LOM) standard became an accredited IEEE standard in July 2002. Using this standard involves storing the metadata records in a database and transferring them within an XML document.
Complying with an international standard (such as DC or LOM) maximises interoperability and simplifies the creation of metadata. However many organisations and user communities create their own "application profile" which can:
It is possible to map the relationships and equivalencies between two or more metadata schemas. Metadata mapping supports the ability of search engines to search effectively across differing databases.
During 2004, a VET Metadata Application Profile (Vetadata) was collaboratively developed to meet the needs of the Australian training community. It consists of a subset of the IEEE LOM v1.0 elements and specifies a group of controlled vocabularies including a custom vocabulary - the Educational Use vocabulary which is used in conjunction with the LOM Learning Resource Type.
Vetadata was approved by FLAG and released for use in January 2005.
