Why standards?
Organisations across the training sector use many different systems for storing and delivering electronic learning resources in training programs.
The aim of using standards is to make it easier for users to select resources from a wide range of sources and use them in their local delivery system.
Developers of content can make their material available to a wider range of users by selecting file formats which are portable, and packaging systems which make content transferable. Uniform description formats through standardised metadata and vocabularies allow material to be discoverable. Standardised rights descriptions and management functions provide clarity for users on conditions of use.
Those who manage the storage of digital content in repositories and content
management systems can achieve better interconnectivity with other systems
if interoperability standards are used.
Identification of Standards
The standards on this site have been identified or developed through a series of national projects supporting flexible learning in the Australian training system. Research has been conducted through consultation with key stakeholder groups at national and state/territory level, and with close reference to international standards, specifications and reference models.
These standards are reviewed and recommended by the E-standards Expert Group (EEG), a forum representing training sector national initiatives, state and territory agencies and cross-sectoral peak organisations. The standards are endorsed by the Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG), the managing committee of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework.
Key initiatives
Key initiatives involved in standards development are:
- E-standards for Training - This project takes over from a number of previous national projects (Preferred Standards, Collaborative Interoperability, Interoperability) to maintain and integrate standards development on behalf of the training sector. It hosts the E-standards Expert Group, maintains the E-standards website and provides a vehicle for promotion and support for standards implementation. It also has responsibility for Vetadata (see below), and a number of investigations related to technical standards. It consults stakeholders to determine future directions in standards research. More information on the E-standards for Training project.
- Flexible Learning Toolboxes – This national initiative which has produced e-learning resources to support the delivery of Training Package programs since 1998, conducts research and maintains recommendations for file formats and content packaging to enable the widest possible usage of the material produced. More information on Flexible Learning Toolboxes.
- VET Learning Object Repository Network (VLORN) – Since 2004 VLORN has established a network of repositories of learning resources from national (Toolboxes) and state/territory sources. A federated search function and metadata harvesting system enable users to perform a desktop search for learning resources (known as learning objects if packaged for portability) meeting specific criteria across the entire network. This project has set standards for repository interoperability and has nominated its requirements for content formats and expression of digital rights (consistent with other national projects). More information on the VLORN project.
- Vetadata - The development of a national metadata application profile for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system took place in 2004-05. Vetadata is now maintained by the E-standards for Training project. It is based on the international Learning Object Metadata (LOM) system but includes specific vocabularies and formats relevant to the Australian training system. More information on Vetatdata.
