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Digital Library Network for Engineering and TechnologyDigital Library Network for Engineering and TechnologyAn NSDL ProjectAn NSDL Project

Professor Saifur RahmanProfessor Saifur Rahman

Alexandria Research Institute Alexandria Research Institute Virginia TechVirginia Tech

http://www.dlnet.vt.eduhttp://www.dlnet.vt.edu

A collaboration ofA collaboration of

05 January 200405 January 2004Jadavpur University, Kolkata, INDIAJadavpur University, Kolkata, INDIA

Introduction to NSDL

Introduction to DLNET

DLNET Learning Object

Metadata and Content Packaging

DLNET Architecture

Collection Scope

Content Review

Content Packaging Tool

DLNET Taxonomy

DLNET Implementation

DLNET User Interface – MyDLNET Page

DLNET Contributions and Publications

Current Holdings

Outline

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What is NSDL?

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is spear-heading the development of a global digital learning community known as NSDL to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education nationwide.

The NSDL portal is based on a federation of digital libraries with access to a variety of learning resources and services.

http://www.nsdl.org

Example Digital Libraries under NSDL

Visit www.nsdl.org for a complete list of digital libraries under NSDL

DLNET - Digital Library Network for Engineering and Technology (VATECH, IASTATE, IEEE, ASEE)

Engineering & Technology

ENC - Eisenhower National Clearinghouse (Ohio State University)K-12

CITIDEL - Computing and Information Technology Interactive Digital Educational Library (VATECH, Villanova, TCNJ, Hofstra, and PSU)

Computing

MathForum - Math Education @ DrexelMathDL - Mathematical Sciences Digital Library Archon - Federation of Physics Collections (arXiv, Physical Review D, etc)

Maths/Physics

DLESE - Digital Library for Earth System Education (UCAR, Montana, Carleton) ADL - Alexandria Digital Library Geospatial Network (Univ. of California, SB)BDE- Building the Digital Earth (Cornell University)CE- Columbia Earthscape (Columbia University)

Earth Sciences

PKAL - Project KaleidoscopeSMETE - Science, Math, Engineering and Technology Education DLMERLOT - Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching

Undergrad STEM

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DLNET is a partner in the NSDL federation hosting and managing an Engineering and Technology collection for use by the STEM community.

DLNET’s main objective is to facilitate Lifelong Learning and Continuing Education for the practicing engineer and technologist by:

Developing a specialized collection of engineering and technology related learning resources.

Aggregating and converting the learning resourcesinto DLNET Learning Objects.

Providing the MyDLNET portal, i.e., a user-centric information search and retrieval platform.

Interfacing with NSDL and partner digital libraries through the Open Archives protocol for sharing learning objects.

What is DLNET?

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Any content that will assist the STEM community in information discovery, independent learning, pedagogy and instruction. Examples include:

Texts, Diagrams, Figures, Tables, Indices, Graphs, Slides, Audio and Video Streams

Basic

Instruction, Content Development, Annotation, etc.Web

Computation, Calculation, Conversion, Equation Editors, Data Processing and Visualization, Simulation and Modeling, Course Module Building

Tools

Exams, Exercise Problems, Study Guides, QuestionnairesInstruction Manuals, Do-it-yourself (DIY) Guides, etc.

Self-Assessand Help

Tutorials, Course Packages, Theses and Dissertations, White Papers, Multimedia Presentations, Interactive Simulations, Algorithms, Software

Complex

What is a Learning Object (LO)?

LOs will come from refereed and qualified contributors consisting of educators, researchers, institutions and organizations.

Each LO will be peer-reviewed before it is published on DLNET.

DLNET LOs will be used by learners as well as course-builders and educators.

DLNET LOs are primarily targeted at practicing engineers and technologists as well as students in various stages of university, continuing education and lifelong learning.

More on DLNET LOs…

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MetadataOrganization

File List

Actual Learning Resource

Files

LO Package(Package Interchange File)

Packaging accordingto the IMS Content

Packaging Specification

Metadata based onthe IMS Metadata

Specification

Structure of a DLNET Learning Object

What is Metadata?A standardized description of digital resources that will aid in the classification, archival, discovery and retrieval of those resources.

Most widely used Metadata Standards

Click here to see a list of current and proposed Metadata Standards

Library of Congress Network Dev’t and MARC Standards Office

MARC

Advanced Distributed Learning Network (ADLNet)ADL (SCORM)

IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee (LTSC)LTSC (IMS)

Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI)Dublin Core

Maintaining BodyStandards

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Information about ContributorAuthor Name, Email Address, Department, Organization.

Basic Information about ResourceTitle, Language, Description, Keywords, Date of Creation

Educational/Pedagogic InformationInteractivity Type, Learning Resource Type, Interactivity Level, Intended User, Learning Duration.

Additional InformationType, Format, Rights, Subject Classification

Metadata Collected by DLNET(based on IEEE/IMS Metadata Specifications)

What is Content Packaging?A standardized method of preparing content for exchange and delivery over the internet. Enables such contents to interoperate across authoring tools, learning management systems (LMS) and runtime environments that have been developed independently.

MetadataOrganization

File List

Actual Learning Resource

Files/Folders

LO Package(Package Interchange File in Zip Format)

Manifest File

Packaging accordingto the IMS Content

Packaging Specification

Metadata based onthe IMS Metadata

Specification

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Sample LO:A Course Chapter in EM (HTML Format)

Metadata

View LO

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Main Components of the DLNET Architecture

Content Receiving

• Learning Object Packaging Tool

• URL Submission Form

User Interface

• Search and Browse• Preview and Download• Contributor’s Page• Reviewer’s Page• My DLNET Page

Content Management

• Content Submission Module

• Content Review Module• Content Archive Module• Search/Browse/Taxonomy

Engine• Repository Maintenance

Modules• Temporary Repository• User Profile, Content and

Metadata Repositories• SQL Database Engine• OAI Provider• Login and Authentication

Module Engine

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REVIEW REVIEW ENGINEENGINE

SEARCH AND SEARCH AND RETRIEVE ENGINERETRIEVE ENGINE

ContributorInterface

ReviewerInterface

OAIInterface

KNOWLEDGEDEVELOPER

REVIEWER

End-userInterface

USERNSDL/OTHER

DIGITAL LIBRARIES

AGGREGATEREVIEW

CONTENT/URLINTEGRITY

CHECK

PERFORMREVIEW

DOWNLOADMODULE

TEMPORARYREPOSITORY

ZIPREPOSITORY

USER-PROFILEREPOSITORY

METADATAREPOSITORY

PREVIEWREPOSITORY

ZIP REPOSITORYMAINT. MODULE

UP REPOSITORYMAINT. MODULE

MD REPOSITORYMAINT. MODULE

PREVIEW REPOSITORYMAINT. MODULE

PREVIEWMODULE

SEARCH/BROWSEMODULE

SYSTEMSYSTEMMANAGERMANAGER

SELECTREVIEWER

ARCHIVEMODULE

InitializeReview

InitializeArchive

SUBMISSION SUBMISSION ENGINEENGINE

Web Interface

Authentication

Application Server

Archive FilterReview Filter DLNET Repositories

SQLSQLDatabase Database

EngineEngine

DLNET Architecture Process Flow

BasicNarrative Texts, Abstracts, Diagrams, Figures, Graphs, Audio and Video Streams, Tables, Indices, etc.

ComplexTutorials, Course Packages, Theses and Dissertations, White Papers, Slides and Presentations Interactive Simulations, Algorithms, Subroutines, Software, Self-Assessment (Exams, Exercise Problems, Study Guides, Questionnaires), Instruction Manuals, Do-it-yourself (DIY) Guides, etc.

ToolsComputation, Calculation, Conversion, Data Processing and Visualization, Simulation and Modeling, Course Module Building, Web Instruction, Web Content Development, Annotation, Equation Editors, Search Engines, etc.

DLNET Collections Scope(Types Accepted)

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Text (Plain, Rich-text, Comma-separated, Tab-separated, etc.

Markup Language (HTML, SGML, XML)

Video (mpeg, quicktime, avi, etc.)

Audio (wav, ra, au, snd, etc.)

Image (jpeg, gif, tiff, bmp, etc.)

Application (ms-word, ms-excel, ms-powerpoint, adobe pdf, zip, etc.)

Scripts, Simulations and Applets (java, perl, matlab, etc.)

Toolbook-type course modules

DLNET Collections Scope(Formats Accepted)

Contributions to DLNET must:

Be relevant to all aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education.

Satisfy basic standards of integrity, i.e., not exhibit blatant errors of facts or attempt to communicate blatant political, religious, or commercial messages.

Not exhibit blatant technical failures in displaying the digital resource.

DLNET Collections Scope(Quality and Pedagogical Effectiveness)

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DLNET’s Peer Review will scrutinize submissions for the following attributes:

Scientific, mathematical and technological facts: Material must be based on sound scientific, mathematical and technical principles, theories and hypotheses.

Educational and pedagogical content of learning object:Material must meet stated educational/pedagogic objectives in serving the target audience. Contents must also be designed for re-use by instructors and course-builders.

Clarity and precision:Contents must be presented in a clear, coherent and systematic manner; correct use of grammar; consistent and visually appealing icons, labels, buttons and navigation menus.

Ease of playing and viewing learning object:Contents must be viewable over currently available platforms and browsers and not require special software or plug-ins and add-ins to run.

Review of DLNET Submissions

A java-based tool designed for offline use to package learning resources into DLNET Learning Objects.

Based on IMS/IEEE Specifications for Learning Object Metadata and Content Packaging, a widely-accepted standard for delivery of structured instructional content over the web.

User supplies information (metadata) by filling out a series of forms.

Tool organizes and validates the contents files submitted.

Once resource is validated, the tool will package it into a zipped folder containing an xml manifest file ready for upload to DLNET.

DLNET Learning Object Packaging Tool

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DLNET Learning Object Packaging Tool

Step 1 – Information about Author Step 2 – Information about the Content

The date associated with the creation and/or publishing of the resource. In DLNET, the DATE is encoded in the YYYY-MM-DD format.

Date of Creation

A list of key words or terms that describe the resourceKeywords

A brief textual description of the resource such as an abstract or a table of contents

Description

The language used in creating the resource as well as required in learning it. It is expressed using RFC1766 and ISO639 (language and COUNTRY code) combination.

Language

Title Name given to the Resource or the name by which the resource is formally known .

Title

Description of Metadata Elements(In Step 2, Part 1 of Tool)

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DLNET Learning Object Packaging Tool

Step 2 (cont’d): Educational Information Step 2 (cont’d):Classification, Technical and Copyright Information

Technical requirements or applications needed to play or view the learning resource as described by content-submitter. These include Operating Platform, Browser Type, Application Programs, and Application Plug-ins.

Requirements

The category of the intended user. These include Educator, Learner and Collector

Intended User

Educational information to describe the level of interactivity between the resource and the intended user. These include:

Low - Minimal to zero interaction/input required from learner.Medium - Some interaction/input required from learner.High - Considerable interaction/input required from learner.

Interactivity Level

Educational information to describe the kind of resource.Learning Resource Type

Educational information to describe the type of interactivity between the user and the resource. The types include:

Active -Information flows from resource to learner and vice versa.Expositive - Information flows from resource to learner only.Mixed - Both Active and Expositive.

Interactivity Type

Description of Metadata Elements(In Step 2, Part 2 of Tool)

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The conditions of use of the resource with respect to its rights/restrictions. In general, submissions to DLNET are expected to be free with no copyright restrictions. Contributors will be asked to indicate which the following applies:

The resource HAS NO copyright restrictions; the contributor(s) agree to its free and unrestricted use for standard educational purposes.

The resource HAS copyright restrictions; reuse of this resource for standard educational purposes is subjected to the author's and/or publisher’s consent.

Copyrights

The type of the resource describing its technical or electronic format as well as the software needed to run it. Examples include text, markup, video mpeg, audio wav, image jpeg, etc.

Format

Description and classification of the resource based on a taxonomic path that leads from the general to the more specific.DLNET provides a custom taxonomic listing to assist in the classification process.

Classification

Description of Metadata Elements(In Step 2, Part 3 of Tool)

DLNET Learning Object Packaging Tool

Step 3: Content Validation Stage Step 4: Summary and Content Packaging

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Three-level classification of engineering and technology subject areas custom-designed for DLNET.

Unique 8-character ID given to each level.

Used in classifying content and URL submissions in Learning Object Packaging Tool and Online URL Submission Form.

Used in SEARCH and BROWSE and wherever classification of the learning resources is required in the system.

Taxonomy implemented in XML format for use in DLNET engine and search/browse modules.

For example, a learning resource on Building Cost Estimation Methods will be classified under:

CE000000 - Civil EngineeringCE002000 - Construction Engineering and Management

CE002003 - Cost Estimation, Risk Analysis

DLNET Taxonomy for Engineering and Technology

Click here to view the DLNET Taxonomy Table

For example, a learning resource on Building Cost Estimation Methodswill be classified under:

CE000000 - Civil EngineeringCE002000 - Construction Engineering and Management

CE002003 - Cost Estimation, Risk Analysis

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LO Packaging Tool: Custom Java-based (J2SE, XML etc.)

Metadata: IEEE/IMS Standard, XML format

Search Engine: Custom Java-based, SQL, XML

Website: JSP and Java Servlets on Apache Tomcat and IIS

Hardware: DELL 2450 servers

Operating System: Win2k Advanced Server

DLNET Implementation

DLNET User Interface – MyDLNET Page

The ‘MyDLNET’ page is a secure portal provided to users upon registration at DLNET. Registered users will be able to:

Download learning object of interest.

Upload learning object to DNLET.

Review learning objects for archiving.

Track all their DLNET activities, including downloads, submissions and reviews.

View, modify or update their personal profiles

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DLNET User Interface – MyDLNET Page

DLNET Transactions Page

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Summary of DLNET Contributions and Publications

A complete digital library platform to enable the sharing of learning resources among the community of learners, educators and professionals in engineering and technology.

A standalone tool for assisting content contributors in preparing and packaging learning resources into learning objects for upload to DLNET.

A custom classification table or taxonomy for engineering and technology for use in the DLNET’s user interfaces as well as search, browse and user-registration modules.

A collection of over 1000 learning objects in the various engineering disciplines.

A gap analysis on web-based course development platforms and learning management systems for engineering and technology education.

A partnership with other digital libraries and collections, namely, PowerLearn, LearnOn and IEEE Comsoc.

Reports, journal and conference papers, and master’s theses.

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Digital Library Services for Engineering Education: DLNET-A Case for Lifelong Learning, ITHET’03 Conference.

DLNET: Creating a Digital Library for Learning Objects in Engineering, ASEE 2002 Conference.

An Online Process for Posting and Meta-tagging Learning Objects and Integrating Contents into Digital Libraries, 32nd ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference.

DLNET: A Digital Library Architecture for Lifelong Learning, IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies, ICALT 2002.

Gap Analysis of Educational Web Tools in Engineering and Technology, American Educational Research Association, 2002.

Gap Analysis of Educational Web Tools in Engineering and Technology, International Conference on College Teaching and Learning, 2002.

A Learning Object Model for Electronic Learning, master’s thesis by Shankar Mahadeva, June 2002.

A Java-based Smart Object Model for Use in Digital LearningEnvironments, master’s thesis by Vara Prashanth Pushpagiri, June 2003.

DLNET Related Publications

Aerospace/Aeronautical - 61

Bioengineering - 58

Chemical - 45

Civil - 41

Electrical - 617

Environmental - 4

Industrial and Systems - 17

Information and Communication Technologies - 9

Materials Science and Engineering - 63

Mechanical - 38

Mining - 21

Computational Methods - 21

Engineering Education - 49

Professional Development - 37

Current Collection Size

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