Guidelines for Using the IMS LRM to IEEE LOM 1.0 Transform
Version 1.0
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Guidelines for Using the IMS LRM to IEEE LOM 1.0 Transform Version 1.0 |
Copyright © 2006 IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The IMS Logo is a registered trademark of IMS/GLC
Document Name: Guidelines for Using the IMS LRM to IEEE LOM 1.0 Transform
Revision: 31 August 2006
| Date Issued: |
31 August 2006 |
| Latest version: |
http://www.imsglobal.org/metadata/mdv1p3/imsmd_transformv1p0.html |
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This package contains three XSL Transforms for transforming implementations of the IMS Learning Resource Meta-data (LRM) v1.2.1, v1.2.2 and v1.2.4 (henceforth "IMSMD") to IEEE Learning Object Meta-data (LOM) 1.0 (henceforth "LOM"), as well as numerous support files designed to help ensure the transformation suits the needs of any particular user. This guide also illustrates the operation of the transform.
This guide does not address best practices for transforming large numbers of documents, for deciding how and when to transition from IMSMD to LOM, or for archiving old IMSMD instances. It only addresses the transform itself and how users may modify the transform to ensure that it addresses their needs. The files contained with this document are:
XSL Transform (sometimes referred to as simply XSL) is an XML-based language for transforming XML instances. In order to use any XSL instance, you will need an XSL engine. The three most popular XML editors (Oxygen, Turbo XML, and XML Spy) include an XSL engine; other products are also available.
This guide assumes that you have an XSL engine, that it is properly installed, and that you are comfortable using it. This document also assumes that you are familiar with XML syntax. If you intend to modify the transform, this document assumes that you are comfortable editing an XML file, either in an XML editor or in a text editor.
The structure of the rest of this document is:
| 2. Using the Transforms |
Explains how to the use the transforms as supplied and how to modify them for a specific application. |
As provided, the transforms attempt to handle the transformation in a way that is generic, yet reasonably comprehensive. It is entirely possible that any given user may have needs that are different from the generic needs. In such cases, users are free to modify the transform to suit their own needs. The instructions that follow are a guide to modifying the transform.
IMS maintains a forum at http://www.imsglobal.org/developers/ims/imsforum/categories.cfm?catid=3. Users are invited to post questions, comments, and modified transforms to that forum. Users are free to redistribute their modified transform under the following conditions:
The new LOM information model takes the two elements previously used to identify resources (identifier and catalogentry) and turns them into a single element (identifier, with catalog and entry children). This makes the appropriate transform logic a question for some debate. The logic used in this transform is:
There is a comment in the transform with the text "##CatalogEntry" that indicates where this logic exists in the transform. The transform does not contain any logic for handling these values any other way; however, users are free to revise the logic as they see fit.
The value of the metaDataSchema element in files produced by the transform is fixed at "IEEE LOM 1.0". If you would rather simply copy the meta-data schema from the source files, find the global variable "metaDataSchemaHandling" (indicated in the transform with the text "##MetaDataSchema" in a comment), and change the value from "fixed" to "copy".
The information model for requirements has changed from IMSMD to LOM. The changes are summarized as:
In practice, users using IMSMD have often abused the semantics of duplicate requirement elements. Strictly speaking, it makes no sense to have multiple requirement elements of the same type (requiring Windows XP and Mac OS X, for example). In practice, however, this has been used to indicate an OR relationship in IMSMD.
The transform contains two versions of the 'requirement' template: one that makes no assumptions about the semantics of repeated requirements, and one that assumes that the semantics of repeated requirements are as described above. In the transform as it ships, the version that makes the assumptions is active (marked with the text "##Requirement" in a comment), and the other is commented out. If you desire the version that does not make any assumptions, and merely copies individual requirements, switch the commenting. Detailed instructions are in the comment.
The transform attempts to handle some errors in the source meta-data. One error handled by the transform is if there is a requirement type with a declared source of 'LOMv1p0' that does not in fact exist in LOM. (The MERLOT examples distributed with IMSMD demonstrate this error.) The transform changes the source to 'unknown'; if you would like a different value, change the value of the "unknownSource" global variable (marked with the text "##UnknownSource" in a comment).
Another error handled in the transform (although incompletely) is date/time data that does not conform to the LOM datatype. Currently, when a date is incorrectly represented as an eight-digit number (for example, "20030916"), it will be translated into the LOM hyphen-separated format (for example, "2003-09-16"). This is the only format that the transform will translate. The location in the transform where this translation occurs is marked with the "##DateTimeConversion" in a comment; users are free to add or remove translation mechanisms.
The transform converts vocabulary terms from the old binding's vocabulary to the new binding's vocabulary. Note that the bulk of the conversion is used to handle the change in vocabulary for element 5.6 Context from the IMS Information Model to the LOM information model. Users may want to check to see that the choice of token translation agrees with their use; the tokens that are translated are indicated in the table below. Users may also want to add tokens to be translated; instructions are in the XSL, at the location marked with "##VocabularyTokenReplacement".
| Title |
Guidelines for Using the IMS LRM to IEEE LOM 1.0 Transform |
| Editor |
Colin Smythe (IMS, UK) Brendon Towle (Thomson NETg, USA) |
| Version |
1.0 |
| Version Date |
31 August 2006 |
| Status |
Final |
| Summary |
This document provides guidelines for transforming implementations of the IMS Learning Resource Meta-data v1.2.1, v1.2.2 and v1.2.4 to IEEE Learning Object Meta-data v1.0. |
| Revision Information |
August 2006 |
| Purpose |
This document has been approved by the IMS Technical Board and is made available for pubic review and comment. |
| Document Location |
http://www.imsglobal.org/metadata/mdv1p3/imsmd_transformv1p0.html |
| Send comments or questions about this specification to [email protected] or visit: http://www.imsglobal.org/developers/ims/imsforum/categories.cfm?catid=3 |
The following individuals contributed to the development of this document:
| Name |
Organization |
| Brendon Towle |
Thomson NETg (USA) |
| Colin Smythe |
IMS/GLC (UK) |
| Version No. |
Release Date |
Comments |
| Final 1.0 |
31 August 2006 |
For public adoption. |
IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc. ("IMS/GLC") is publishing the information contained in this Guidelines for Using the IMS LRM to IEEE LOM 1.0 Transform ("Specification") for purposes of scientific, experimental, and scholarly collaboration only.
IMS/GLC makes no warranty or representation regarding the accuracy or completeness of the Specification.
This material is provided on an "As Is" and "As Available" basis.
The Specification is at all times subject to change and revision without notice.
It is your sole responsibility to evaluate the usefulness, accuracy, and completeness of the Specification as it relates to you.
IMS/GLC would appreciate receiving your comments and suggestions.
Please contact IMS/GLC through our website at http://www.imsglobal.org
Please refer to Document Name: Guidelines for Using the IMS LRM to IEEE LOM 1.0 Transform Revision: 31 August 2006