MIS Interoperability

Building the MLE

E-Strategy

• Priorities one, two and three

– developing an online information service– developing integrated online learning support

services

– and building collaborative personalised learning – a personalised learning space

E-Strategy

• OK, but to do this we must have integration and interoperability …

• And we haven’t achieved that so far!

What does interoperability look like at the moment?

What do we need to do?

• Key requirement is to build real interoperability

– Data– Content (learning & teaching materials etc)

– Come back to this ………

But what is a “Personalised Learning Space”? Level Description Application Likely Configuration

1 Basic learning platform Virtual learning service or other basic learning platform

Probably purely web-based. Hosted

2 Advanced learning platform with sophisticated functionality

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Hosted or client based

3 Advanced fully integrated systems

Managed Learning Environment (MLE)

Generally client, or a mix, i.e. client MIS and hosted VLE

Level 1

Level Function

1 User log-in and identification

Delivery of teaching and learning materials

Communication tools

Basic assessment tools

Level Function

2 Community or shared work group areas

Content authoring and content management tools

Other tools and services

Advanced assessment tools

Learner support

Management and tracking of learner activity

Interface adaptation

Easy navigational structure

Level 2

Level Function

3 MIS learner data interoperability

Share data with other business systems

Level 3

What does an MLE look like?

How does “Personalised” work?

What do we need to do?

• Key requirement is to build real interoperability

– Data– Content

– But how????

Data interoperability: what are the key issues?

• DfES IMS saturation• State of specs and standards• VFM and flexibility (MIS report)• Bigger picture e.g. curriculum

change, vocational education, schools of the future …

What data?

Within the schools sector there are four broad types of data being stored

– Data relating to pupil – Financial and asset management– Teaching, learning and course

management– Staff and Human Resources

What do we want data to do?

• Three core uses or movements:

– Data mining (business & statutory etc)

– External transfer– Internal transfer

Solution

• Do more than publish lists of specs• Overcome the deadlock through

partnership• Learn lessons from FE• Build a new practical architecture or

data “framework”

– Schools Interoperability Framework

What is the Schools Interoperability Framework?

• USA• A good example of a HIM implementation• Platform independent, vendor neutral

• Key principle: To make it possible to share data without any additional programming by the local school or LA and without requiring each vendor to learn and support the intricacies of each other's applications

How can we use SIF?

• As USA, but ……

• New data model be adopted that better reflects the requirements of the UK – and fulfils our 3 key requirements– Data mining– External transfer– Internal transfer

• Based on combinations of existing specifications and standards

SIF Components Working Together

Network Account

H.R. &Finance

Data Analysis

& Reporting Instructional

Services

Library Automation

Student Information

Services

GradeBook

FoodServices

– Zone Integration Server (ZIS)

– SIF Agents

– Applications

– SIF Data Objects

But what about content interoperability?

• Unlike data interoperability, no unified frameworks, so ….

• Require interoperability specifications and standards matched to function

• For example, use IMS Global specifications

• But ….needs very careful planning

Content interoperability …

• Currently scoping out functional requirements

• In order to map specifications• Where can be tied in SIF will be

– So, to recap ….

Personalised Learning Space

Level Description Application Likely Configuration

1 Basic learning platform Virtual learning service or other basic learning platform

Probably purely web-based. Hosted

2 Advanced learning platform with sophisticated functionality

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Hosted or client based

3 Advanced fully integrated systems

Managed Learning Environment (MLE)

Generally client, or a mix, i.e. client MIS and hosted VLE

Level 3: MLE

Personalised is …

What do we need to do?

• Key requirement is to build real interoperability

– Data– Content