JORUM Application Profile

Draft Version 1.0

February 2005

Adrian Stevenson
JORUM Project
MIMAS, Manchester Computing
University of Manchester

1. Introduction
This document describes the JORUM metadata application profile. This application profile is based on the UK
Learning Object Metadata Core (UK LOM Core) which is itself derived from the IEEE 1484.12.1-2002 Standard
for Learning Object Metadata (IEEE LOM). The UK LOM Core was specifically designed for use by metadata
implementers such as the JORUM Project (i.e. those creating applications for service and data providers that
implement the LOM).

In the context of metadata implementation, application profiles may be defined as:

“… meta-data element sets that are either abbreviated versions of complete standards or are a
heterogeneous mix of elements drawn from different meta-data schemata. Typically, application
profiles are developed to meet the needs of a specific application, within a specific community.”
(IMS, 2004).

Application profiles may determine the syntax of metadata instances e.g. by enforcing the ordering of elements or
by requiring the use of a particular binding or encoding format. They may also provide guidelines on the semantics
of the data model e.g. by recommending how elements should be used, by requiring the use of community specific
vocabularies or by specifying the definition of vocabulary terms for a particular community of practice. For further
definitions of the term “application profile”, references and guidelines on creating metadata application profiles see
the IMS Best Practice and Implementation guide for IEEE 1484.12.1-2002 Standard for Learning Objects Metadata
(LOM) v 1.3 Draft Specification.

The primary objective of the UK LOM Core is to increase the interoperability of metadata instances and
application profiles within the UK educational community by:

• Promoting the appropriate use of LOM syntax and semantics

• Defining the semantics of LOM data elements and advocating the use of common vocabularies
• Identifying a common core of elements that will provide an adequate description to facilitate general-
purpose use and interoperability

As a JISC funded service, JORUM has been developed to be a component of the JISC Information Environment
and interoperable with other services within it. As a consequence, JORUM will be one component of a distributed
network of repositories that may include institutional, project and regional repositories. In addition, JORUM will
expose metadata to the JISC IE through the use of Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting
(OAI-PMH) . To facilitate interoperability within this distributed environment it is essential to expose metadata in
a standard format and manner.

In order for a metadata application profile to conform to the UK LOM Core’s Core Element Set, all of the LOM
Core required elements must be included in the profile. In addition, profile developers such as JORUM "should"
publish their application profiles, including vocabularies, on a project website or in an application profile registry,
to ensure that they are accessible to other UK LOM Core implementers.

This version of the JORUM application profile is based on the current working draft of the UK LOM Core version
0.3_1244 dated December 2004. The profile has been developed to meet the requirements of the JORUM user
community as they are currently understood.

The profile will enable learning and teaching resources to be located in the JORUM system by browsing and
searching against metadata entries. Examples include:

• Browsing for resources using JACS , Learndirect , UK Education Level classification schemes
• Performing basic searches for resources using a limited number of metadata fields, including: title,
description, keywords and education level
• Performing advanced searches for resources using any of the metadata fields included in the profile
2. JORUM Application Profile Element Set
The table below details the IEEE LOM elements that are used in the JORUM application profile. The notes and guidelines are based n the original UK
LOM Core guidelines.

REQUIRED means that a value must be supplied. RECOMMENDED means that a value should be supplied unless there is a valid reason not to.
OPTIONAL means that a value may be supplied if desired. The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" used throughout this document are to be interpreted as described in
IETF RFC 2119.

Explanation (UK
Nr Name Size Order Value Space Data type Optionality Notes and Guidelines
LOM Core)
This category groups
the general
unspecifie Aggregate
1 General information that 1 REQUIRED
d element
describes this learning
object as a whole.
JORUM will choose from a
range of persistent, globally
unique identifier schemata that
includes, but is not restricted
to, URI, URN, PURL, Handle,
DOI, POI, XRI.

Smallest It is REQUIRED by the UK

A globally unique
permitted unspecifie Aggregate LOM Core that the chosen
1.1 Identifier label that identifies REQUIRED
maximum d element scheme is encoded in the form
this learning object.
: 10 items of a URI. JORUM is currently
considering URI, Handle and
POI identifying schemata.

Imported identifiers will

retained in addition to any
auto generated system
identifier.
The name or
CharactersStrin
designator of the
g
identification or unspecifie Repertoire of ISO/IEC 10646-
1.1.1 Catalog 1 (minimum- REQUIRED
cataloguing scheme d 1:2000
maximum: 1000
for this entry. A
char)
namespace scheme.
1.1.2 Entry The value of the 1 unspecifie Repertoire of ISO/IEC 10646- CharacterString REQUIRED The actual value of the
 identifier within the d 1:2000 (minimum- identifier. This value will be
identification or maximum: 1000 automatically generated by the
cataloguing scheme char) JORUM repository system.
that designates or
identifies this learning
object. A namespace
specific string.
This element may not be
LangString repeated, so only one title may
(smallest be encoded.
Name given to this unspecifie
1.2 Title 1 permitted REQUIRED
learning object d
maximum: 1000 JORUM system will add
char) object filename as default
basic title.
This element is REQUIRED
as the UK is multi-lingual
(ethnic, Welsh, Gaelic, etc.)
and a member of the European
The primary human
CharacterString Union. The appropriate two
language or languages smallest
(smallest character language code
used within this permitted ISO 639:1988 and ISO 3166-
1.3 Language unordered permitted REQUIRED MUST be chosen from ISO
learning object to maximum 1:1997
maximum: 100 639-2:1988. An additional two
communicate to the : 10 items
char) character country code from
intended user
ISO 3166-1:1997 SHOULD
also be used where
appropriate. The default entry
for this element is 'en-GB'.
The description MUST be a
concise, keyword-intensive
description of the object. If the
LangString
smallest resource has an abstract or
A textual description (smallest
permitted table of contents, that
1.4 Description of the content of this unordered permitted REQUIRED
maximum information SHOULD be
learning object. maximum: 2000
: 10 items included here. The general
char)
description should not be
confused with the educational
description of the object.
These keywords SHOULD
LangString ideally be created by the
smallest
Keywords or phrases (smallest author of the resource. Choose
permitted RECOMMENDE
1.5 Keyword describing this unordered permitted specific significant terms for
maximum D
learning object. maximum: 1000 keywords, avoiding those that
: 10 items
char) are too general to describe the
object effectively.
 If the subject of the resource is
a person, enter their name
using the 'familyname,
forename' format. E.g.
Shakespeare, William.

If the subject of the resource is

an organisation, enter its
name. E.g. Royal National
Institute for the Blind.

If the name is hierarchical, list

the parts of the hierarchy from
largest to smallest, separated
by full stops. E.g. University
of Edinburgh. School of
Literatures Languages and
Cultures. Celtic and Scottish
Studies.

This element can be repeated

in the JORUM system for
multiple free-text keywords.
Refer to Dublin Core
Coverage element:
Typically, Coverage will
include spatial location (a
place name or geographic
coordinates), temporal period
(a period label, date, or date
range) or jurisdiction (such as
a named administrative
LangString entity). Recommended best
The time, culture, smallest
(smallest practice is to select a value
geography or region permitted
1.6 Coverage unordered permitted OPTIONAL from a controlled vocabulary
to which this learning maximum
maximum: 1000 (for example, the Thesaurus of
object applies. : 10 items
char) Geographic Names [TGN])
and to use, where appropriate,
named places or time periods
in preference to numeric
identifiers such as sets of
coordinates or date ranges.

For temporal coverage, the

date MUST be recorded in
 ISO 8601:2000 format e.g.
YYYY-MM-DD. See
http://www.w3.org/TR/NOTE
-datetime for further details.
"atomic"
Underlying Refer to CanCore Guidelines
"collection"
organisational unspecifie Vocabulary 2.0:
1.7 Structure 1 "networked" OPTIONAL
structure of this d (State) CanCore does not recommend
"hierarchical"
learning object the use of this element.
"linear "
As there is no consensus as to
how to categorise aggregation
level, use of this element is not
recommended unless there is a
"1"
The functional specific rationale for exploring
Aggregation unspecifie "2" Vocabulary
1.8 granularity of this 1 OPTIONAL how aggregation can be
Level d "3" (Enumerated)
learning object. described.
"4"
CanCore Guidelines 2.0
contain a useful starting point
for defining aggregation levels
using this element.
This category
describes the history
and current state of
this learning object unspecifie Container
2 Lifecycle 1 REQUIRED
and those who have d element
affected this learning
object during its
evolution.
Developers of learning objects
SHOULD systematically
control versions of their
resources.

Refer to CanCore Guidelines

LangString 2.0:
(smallest
The edition of this unspecifie RECOMMENDE
2.1 Version 1 permitted
learning object. d D This element is understood as
maximum: 50
char) describing software versioning
conventions (e.g., alpha, beta)
as well as document
publication conventions (e.g.,
first edition).

This element is not intended to

 convey document status
information (e.g., draft,
revised, final) nor series
number information (e.g.,
episode 12). For document
status information, refer to
element 2.2:Status.
As many learning object
developers may not use formal
development cycles,
appropriate use of this element
"draft" can not be guaranteed and
The completion status
unspecifie "final" Vocabulary consequently its use is
2.2 Status if condition of this 1 OPTIONAL
d "revised" (State) optional.
learning object
"unavailable"
This element could be used by
JORUM to control the public
availability of the object.
Those entities (i.e.,
people, organisations)
that have contributed smallest
to the state of this permitted Container
2.3 Contribute ordered REQUIRED
learning object during maximum element
its life cycle (e.g., : 30 items
creation, edits,
publication).
LOM v1.0 vocabulary
'Author'
For resources created by
'Content Provider'
individual authors e.g.
'Editor'
teachers or lecturers, 'author'
'Educational Validator'
MUST be used to denote the
'Graphical Designer'
person who created the object
'Initiator'
and 'publisher' SHOULD be
unspecifie 'Instructional Designer' Vocabulary
2.3.1 Role Kind of contribution. 1 REQUIRED used to denote their
d 'Publisher' (State)
institution/employer.
'Script Writer'
'Technical Implementer'
'Technical Validator' If an author is acting
'Terminator' independently they MUST
'Unknown' record their own name as both
'Validator' ‘publisher’ and ‘author’
Multiple authors SHOULD be
recorded.
2.3.2 Entity The identification of smallest ordered vCard CharacterString REQUIRED The REQUIRED minimum set
 and information about permitted http://www.imc.org/pdi/ (smallest of element types are declared
people or maximum permitted by the vCard specification.
organisations : 40 items maximum: 1000 See http://www.imc.org/pdi/
contributing to this chars)
learning object, most
relevant first.
Typically this will be the date
of creation or publication of
the resource.

Date MUST be recorded in

ISO 8601:2000 format e.g.
YYYY[-MM[-DD]]. See
http://www.w3.org/TR/NOTE
-datetime for further details. If
the exact date is not known
year and month alone
SHOULD be recorded e.g.
YYYY-MM. If the month is
not know only the year
The date of the unspecifie SHOULD be recorded e.g.
2.3.3 Date 1 DateTime REQUIRED
contribution. d YYYY.

If the date cannot be recorded

in ISO 8601:2000 format, or
additional information is
required, a textual description
of the date SHOULD be
added.

This element MAY be used to

identify a specific version of a
resource in the absence of a
formal method of version
control.
This category
describes this The meta-metadata elements
metadata record itself unspecifie Container describe the metadata record
3 Metametadata 1 REQUIRED
(rather than the d element associated with a resource, not
learning object that the resource itself.
this record describes).
A globally unique JORUM will choose from a
label that identifies unspecifie Container range of persistent, globally
3.1 Identifier 1 REQUIRED
this metadata record. d element unique identifier schemata
This is not and shall which include, but are not
 not be used, as there is restricted to, URI, URN,
no specified method PURL, Handle, DOI, POI,
for the creation of a XRI.
globally unique
identifier.
In order to facilitate
interoperability within
distributed environments it is
REQUIRED that the chosen
scheme is encoded in the form
of a URI.
The name or
CharacterString
designator of the UK LOM Core REQUIRED
(smallest
identification or unspecifie Repertoire of ISO/IEC 10646- value is URI. JORUM may
3.1.1 Catalog 1 permitted REQUIRED
cataloging scheme for d 1:2000 also use Handle, POI and/or
maximum: 1000
this entry. A others
char)
namespace scheme.
The value of the
identifier within the Repertoire of ISO/IEC 10646-
identification or 1:2000 LangString
The actual value of the
cataloging scheme (smallest
unspecifie identifier. This value will be
3.1.2 Entry that designates or 1 permitted REQUIRED
d use the oai-identifier assigned to generated by the JORUM
identifies this maximum: 1000
the record in the OAI repository as repository system.
metadata record. A char)
namespace specific RDN?
string.
Those entities (i.e.,
people or
organisations) that smallest
have affected the state permitted Container
3.2 Contribute ordered REQUIRED
of this metadata maximum element
instance during its life : 10 items
cycle (e.g., creation,
validation).
It is important to trust the
Kind of contribution.
validity of information
Exactly one instance unspecifie "creator"
3.2.1 Role 1 Vocabulary REQUIRED contained in a metadata record
of creator should d "validator"
therefore the ‘creator’ of the
exist.
record is REQUIRED.
The identification of Characterstring
smallest
and information about (smallest
permitted vCard
3.2.2 Entity the people or ordered permitted REQUIRED See 2.3.2 above.
maximum http://www.imc.org/pdi/
organisations maximum: 1000
: 10 items
contributing to this char)
 metadata instance,
most relevant first.
Date MUST be recorded in
ISO 8601:2000 format e.g.
YYYY[-MM[-DD]], and will
be generated automatically by
The date of the unspecifie
3.2.3 Date 1 DateTime REQUIRED the JORUM repository. See
contribution. d
section 2.3.3 and
http://www.w3.org/TR/NOTE
-datetime for further
guidelines.
The name and version CharacterString
smallest LOM v1.0 & JORUMv1.0
of the authoritative (smallest
Metadataschem permitted Repertoire of ISO/IEC 10646-
3.3 specification used to unordered permitted REQUIRED
e maximum 1:2000
create this metadata maximum: 30
: 10 items
instance. char)
The appropriate two character
Language of this language code MUST be
metadata instance. chosen from ISO 639-2:1988.
This is the default An additional two character
language for all country code from ISO 3166-
CharacterString
LangString values in 1:1997 SHOULD also be used
(smallest
this metadata instance. unspecifie ISO 639:1988 and ISO 3166- where appropriate.
3.4 Language 1 permitted REQUIRED
If a value for this data d 1:1997
maximum: 100
element is not present
char) The default entry for this
in a metadata instance,
then there is no element is 'en-GB'. This value
default language for is generated automatically by
LangString values. the JORUM repository
system.
This category
describes the technical
unspecifie Container
4 Technical requirements and 1 REQUIRED
d element
characteristics of this
learning object.
MIME types SHOULD only
be used. LOM stipulates that
CharacterString the technical data types of all
Technical data type(s) smallest
MIME types based on IANA (smallest components are recorded. For
of (all the components permitted RECOMMENDE
4.1 Format unordered registration (see RFC2048:1996) permitted example for a Flash animation
of) this learning maximum D
or 'non-digital' maximum: 500 in an HTML Web page, repeat
object. : 40 items
char) this element to encode both
'text/html' and 'application/x-
shockwave-flash'.
4.2 Size The size of the digital 1 unspecifie ISO 646:1991 CharacterString RECOMMENDE The size of the learning object
 learning object in d (smallest D is generated automatically by
bytes (octets). If the permitted the JORUM repository
learning object is maximum: 30 system.
compressed, then this char)
data element shall UK LOM Core requires the
refer to the size MUST refer to the
uncompressed size. uncompressed size of the
resource.

The size is displayed to the

user in the most appropriate
format e.g. KB, MB etc.
A string that is used to
This refers to the location of
access this learning
the object rather than the
object. It may be a
location of the metadata
location (e.g.,
record. This value resolves to
Universal Resource CharacterString
smallest a location where the learning
Locator), or a method (smallest
permitted Repertoire of ISO/IEC 10646- object can be found i.e. a
4.3 Location that resolves to a Yes permitted REQUIRED
maximum 1:2000 URL. For objects held in the
location (e.g., maximum: 1000
: 10 items JORUM repository system this
Universal Resource char)
element refers to the location
Identifier). The first
of the object in the repository
element of this list
and is generated automatically
shall be the preferable
by the system.
location.
The technical
capabilities necessary
for using this learning smallest
object. If there are permitted Container Refer to CanCore Guidelines
4.4 Requirement unordered OPTIONAL
multiple requirements, maximum element 2.0
then all are required, : 40 items
i.e., the logical
connector is AND.
Grouping of multiple
requirements. The
composite
requirement is Smallest
satisfied when one of permitted Container Refer to CanCore Guidelines
4.4.1 OrComposite unordered OPTIONAL
the component maximum element 2.0
requirements is : 40 items
satisfied, i.e., the
logical connector is
OR.
The technology unspecifie "Browser" Vocabulary Refer to CanCore Guidelines
4.4.1.1 Type 1 OPTIONAL
required to use this d "Operating System" (State) 2.0
 learning object. E.g.
hardware, software,
network, etc
if Type='operating system' then:

"pc-dos"
"ms-windows"
"macos"
"unix"
"multi-os"
"none"
Name of the required
unspecifie Vocabulary
4.4.1.2 Name technology to use this 1 OPTIONAL
d if Type='browser' then: (State)
learning object.

"any"
"netscape"
"communicator"
"ms internet"
"explorer"
"opera"
"amaya"
CharacterString
Lowest possible
(smallest
Minimum version of the required unspecifie Repertoire of ISO/IEC 10646- Refer to CanCore Guidelines
4.4.1.3 1 permitted OPTIONAL
Version technology to use this d 1:2000 2.0
maximum: 30
learning object.
char)
CharacterString
Highest version of the
(smallest
Maximum technology known to unspecifie Repertoire of ISO/IEC 10646- Refer to CanCore Guidelines
4.4.1.4 1 permitted OPTIONAL
Version support the use of this d 1:2000 2.0
maximum: 30
learning object.
char)
LangString
Description of how to (smallest
Installation unspecifie Refer to CanCore Guidelines
4.5 install this learning 1 permitted OPTIONAL
Remarks d 2.0
object. maximum: 1000
char)
Use as a general comment
LangString element to describe any
Information about
(smallest technical information the user
Other Platform other software and unspecifie
4.6 1 permitted OPTIONAL may require in order to use the
Requirements hardware d
maximum: 1000 object that has not already
requirements.
char) been described in 4.1 technical
format.
 This element SHOULD only
be used to describe time based
Time a continuous media files, e.g. sound, video
learning object takes unspecifie or animation. Use 5.9
4.7 Duration 1 OPTIONAL
when played at d Educational. Typical Learning
intended speed. Time to describe the time
needed for a learner to use the
resource.
This category
describes the key
educational or
pedagogic
characteristics of this
learning object.
Smallest
This is the
permitted
pedagogical unspecifie Container RECOMMENDE
5 Educational maximum
information essential d element D
: 100
to those involved in
items
achieving a quality
learning experience.
The audience for this
metadata includes
teachers, managers,
authors and learners.
Refer to CanCore Guidelines
2.0:

It describes characteristics of
the resource that are indicated
by other elements (e.g., a
value of exam or simulation
for 5.2:Learning Resource
Type will be Active; a value
"active" of JPEG or text or
Predominant mode of
Interactivity unspecifie "expositive" Vocabulary RECOMMENDE 4.1:Technical.Format will
5.1 learning supported by 1
Type d "mixed" (State) D likely be Expositive).
this learning object
"undefined"
The criterion for interactivity
presented by this element is
different from that presented
by element 5.3:Interactivity
Level. The categories in these
two elements can be
understood as relating to one
another orthogonally.
However, this orthogonal
 relationship between types of
interactivity and levels of
interactivity is not a simple
one, and not reflected in the
literature. It may not be
readily understood by
metadata record creators.

Note that Active, Expositive,

and Mixed are attributes of the
resource, rather than "modes
learning" (as stated in the
LOM explanation).
LOMv1.0:

'Diagram'
'Exam'
'Exercise'
'Experiment'
'Figure' Taken from LOMv1.0 and
'Graph' RDNLTSNType.
'Index'
'Narrative Text'
'Problem Statement' Use of the LOMv1.0
'Questionnaire' vocabulary is problematic as it
'Self Assessment' includes terms that describe
'Simulation' both the form (e.g. diagram)
'Slide' and the function (e.g. exam) of
Specific kind of 'Table' the object. In recognition of
Learning learning object. The RECOMMENDE this, many application profiles
5.2 items ordered
Resource Type most dominant kind D recommend the use of
shall be first. or RDNLTSNType: customised
vocabularies to describe this
"CourseModuleUnitProgramme" element.
"ResourcePack"
"CaseStudy" LOM and UK LOM Core
"ActivityExerciseFieldwork" recommend the use of
"ActivityExerciseFieldworkNotes customised vocabularies in
" conjunction with LOMv1.0
"ProjectOutline" vocabulary.
"SimulationModel"
"StudyGuide"
"ExaminationTest"
"QuestionBank"
"AssessmentItem"
"LecturePresentation"
"Glossary"
 "CourseLecturePresentationNotes
"
"WorkedExample"
"Textbook"
"Demonstration"
"Computer-basedTutorial"
"ReadingList"
"TeachingTip"
"CurriculumSyllabus"
"EducatorGuide"
"EvaluationForm"
"EducationalPolicy"
"EducationalReport"
"LessonPlan"
The degree of
interactivity
characterising this
Although this element is not
learning object. "very low"
well understood its
Interactivity in this "low"
Interactivity unspecifie Vocabulary RECOMMENDE implementation is
5.3 context refers to the 1 "medium"
Level d (Enumerated) D RECOMMENDED to help
degree to which the "high"
develop a common
learner can influence "very high"
understanding of its usage.
the aspect or
behaviour of the
learning object.
The degree of
conciseness of a
learning object. The It is recognised that educators
semantic density of a "very low" routinely make judgments on
learning object may "low" the appropriateness of learning
Semantic unspecifie Vocabulary
5.4 be estimated in terms 1 "medium" OPTIONAL resources based on a
Density d (Enumerated)
of its size, span or – in "high" subjective notion of 'semantic
the case of self-timed "very high" density', although they may
resources such as not use this term.
audio or video –
duration.
From CanCore Guidelines 2.0:

Principal user(s) for smallest "teacher" • A teacher is "one

Intended End which this learning permitted "author" RECOMMENDE who or that which
5.5 unordered Vocabulary teaches or instructs;
User Role object was designed, maximum "learner" D
most dominant first. : 10 items "manager" an instructor" (OED).
• An author is "the
person who originates
or gives existence to
 anything" (OED).
• A learner is "one who
learns or receives
instruction" (OED).
• A manager is "a
person who
organises, directs, or
plots something; a
person who regulates
or deploys resources"
(OED). Note that
manager can be
considered as a broad
equivalent for more
specific values not
included in this
listing, such as
parent, guardian, or
supervisor.

UKEC:

"nursery education"
" primary education"
"secondary education"
"sixth form college"
" further education"
" higher education"
The principal " continuous professional
environment within smallest development"
which the learning permitted " vocational training" Vocabulary
5.6 Context
and use of this maximum " community education"
learning object is : 10 items
intended to take place.
and LOMv1.0:
"school"
"higher education"
"training"
"other"
UK LOM Core recommends
the UK Educational Contexts
vocabulary for this element.
This vocabulary contains
terms relevant to the UK
educational context.
RECOMMENDE
(State) D
It is RECOMMENDED that
this vocabulary SHOULD be
used in conjunction with the
LOMv1.0 vocabulary to
facilitate interoperability with
other applications.

Age of the typical smallest LangString It is RECOMMENDED that

Typical Age intended user. This permitted (smallest RECOMMENDE this element SHOULD only
5.7 Unordered
Range element shall refer to maximum permitted D refer to the chronological age
the developmental : 5 items maximum: 1000 of a user and not their
 age, if that would be chars) developmental age as
different from the suggested by the LOM
chronological age. explanation. Therefore the
element is used to indicate the
appropriateness of the object
for a particular age group.
Developmental 'age' or level
should be described using 9.1
Classification. Purpose.
Educational Level.
It is recognised that educators
routinely make judgements on
the appropriateness of learning
This data element
"very easy" resources based on a
defines how hard it is
"easy" subjective notion of
to work through this unspecifie Vocabulary RECOMMENDE
5.8 Difficulty 1 "medium" 'difficulty'. Although this
learning object for the d (Enumerated) D
"difficult" element is not well understood
typical target
"very difficult" its implementation is
audience.
RECOMMENDED to help
develop a common
understanding of its usage.
Approximate or As there is no commonly
typical time it takes to accepted method of
Typical work with or through unspecifie determining how long a
5.9 1 Duration OPTIONAL
Learning Time this learning object for d learner should work with any
the typical intended given resource, this element
target audience. should be used with caution.
This element describes
LangString potential educational uses of a
Smallest
Comments on how (smallest resource. For example "use as
permitted unspecifie RECOMMENDE
5.10 Description this learning object is permitted an introduction to the topic".
maximum d D
to be used. maximum: 1000 This element should not be
: 10 items
char) confused with 1.4
General.Description.
CharacterString This element describes the
The human language smallest
(smallest language of the intended end
used by the typical permitted ISO 639:1988 and ISO 3166- RECOMMENDE
5.11 Language unordered permitted user of the resource. This is
intended user of this maximum 1:1997 D
maximum: 100 distinct from 1.3 General.
learning object. : 10 items
char) Language.
This category
describes the
intellectual property unspecifie Container JORUM licensing scheme
6 Rights 1 REQUIRED
rights and conditions d element currently being investigated.
of use for this learning
object.
 Whether copyright or
Copyright and JORUM requires all objects to
other restrictions unspecifie Vocabulary
6.2 Other 1 "yes" REQUIRED have license conditions
apply to the use of this d (State)
Restrictions assigned.
learning object.
This element MUST be used
to record a description of
costs, copyright restrictions,
conditions of use or where to
LangString access further information
Comments on the (smallest regarding usage rights.
unspecifie
6.3 Description conditions of use of 1 permitted REQUIRED
d
this learning object. maximum: 1000 JORUM may place the licence
char) description in this field or use
a URL to to link to the
JORUM licence on the
JORUM website or another
location.
Use of these elements is
usually labour intensive.
These elements should only be
used if they are known to aid
discovery.

UK LOM Core refers to

CanCore Guidelines 2.0 for
further advice:

The utility of the Relation

This category defines category is highly dependent
smallest
the relationship on the provision and
permitted
between this learning Container interoperation of infrastructure
7 Relation maximum unordered OPTIONAL
object and other element elements other than metadata
: 100
learning objects, if (e.g. identification and
items
any. resolution services, content
packaging technology,
aggregation and
disaggregation mechanisms).
Properly supported and
integrated, the Relation
category can support
important functionality and
add considerable value to an
implementation. Such support
and integration, however, is
not likely to be available
 across domains, or in highly
distributed environments. All
of these factors should be
taken into account in decisions
to use these elements.
"ispartof"
"haspart"
"isversionof"
Nature of the
"hasversion"
relationship between
"isformatof"
this learning object
unspecifie "hasformat" Vocabulary Refer to CanCore Guidelines
7.1 Kind and the target learning 1 OPTIONAL
d "references" (State) 2.0.
object, identified by
"isreferencedby"
7.2:Relation.Resource
"isbasedon"
.
"isbasisfor"
"requires"
"isrequiredby"
This aggregate element refers
The target learning
to the learning resource to
object that this unspecifie
7.2 Resource 1 OPTIONAL which the resource described
relationship d
by the metadata instance is
references.
being related.
The identifier allocated to the
related resource.

Refer to CanCore Guidelines

A globally unique Smallest 2.0:
label that identifies permitted unspecifie Container
7.2.1 Identifier OPTIONAL
the target learning maximum d element The values supplied for
object. : 10 items 7.2.1:Identifier should
correspond to those provided
for 1.1:General.Identifier in
the metadata record of the
referenced resource.
The name or
CharacterString Values for this element MAY
designator of the
(smallest include, but are not restricted
identification or unspecifie Repertoire of ISO/IEC 10646-
7.2.1.1 Catalog 1 permitted OPTIONAL to, URI, URL, URN, PURL,
cataloguing scheme d 1:2000
maximum:1000 DOI, Handle, XRI, ISBN, and
for his entry. A
char) ISSN
namespace scheme
The value of the LangString
identification or unspecifie (smallest The actual value of the
7.2.1.3 Entry 1 OPTIONAL
cataloguing scheme d permitted identifier.
that designates or maximum: 1000
 identifies the target char)
learning object. A
namespace specific
string.
LangString From CanCore Guidelines 2.0:
(smallest CanCore does not recommend
Description of the unspecifie
7.2.2 Description 1 permitted OPTIONAL the use of this element for the
target learning object. d
maximum: 1000 purposes of interoperation in
char) distributed environments.
Implementers and educators
This category SHOULD aspire to using the
provides comments on annotation category elements
the educational use of as they have the potential to
this learning object, significantly enhance the
and information on richness of the metadata
when and by whom smallest instance by recording
the comments were permitted RECOMMENDE additional qualitative and
8 Annotation unordered Container
created. This category maximum D quantitative information about
enables educators to : 30 items the resource and its usage.
share their
assessments of
learning objects, JORUM envisages this
suggestions for use, element to be used for peer
etc. review in combination with a
star rating system.
CharacterString
Entity (i.e. people, (smallest
unspecifie vCard RECOMMENDE See guidelines for 2.3.2 Life
8.1 Entity organisation) that 1 permitted
d http://www.imc.org/pdi/ D Cycle.Contribute.
created this annotation maximum: 1000
char)
Data type 'DateTime'
described in LOM Standard.
Date this annotation unspecifie RECOMMENDE
8.2 Date 1 DateTime Date must be recorded in ISO
was created. d D
8601:2000 format e.g.
YYYY[-MM[-DD]].
This element SHOULD be
used to describe the
experience of using the
LangString resource in a teaching and
(smallest
The content of this unspecifie RECOMMENDE learning context.
8.3 Description 1 permitted
annotation. d D
maximum: 1000
char) CanCore Guidelines 2.0 also
suggest using this element to
describe educational
characteristic that cannot be
 accommodated by the
elements in 5. Educational
category.
This category
smallest
describes where this
permitted Container
9 Classification learning object falls unordered REQUIRED
maximum element
within a particular
: 40 items
classification system.
Discipline - this refers to a
formal subject classification or
The purpose of identification used by an
unspecifie
9.1 Purpose classifying this 1 "Discipline" REQUIRED institution or sector. JORUM
d
learning object. has implemented Learndirect
(Levels 1-2) and the Joint
Academic Coding System
A taxonomic path in a
specific classification
system. Each
succeeding level is a
refinement in the
smallest
definition of the
permitted Container
9.2 Taxon Path preceding level. unordered REQUIRED
maximum element
There may be
: 15 items
different paths, in the
same or different
classifications, which
describe the same
characteristic.
The name of the
classification system. LangString
This data element may (smallest
unspecifie "jacs"
9.2.1 Source use any recognized 1 permitted REQUIRED
d "ldcs"
"official" taxonomy or maximum: 1000
any user-defined char)
taxonomy.
A particular term
within a taxonomy. A
taxon is a node that
has a defined label or smallest
term. A taxon may permitted Container
9.2.2 Taxon ordered REQUIRED i.e. "jacs" or "ldcs"
also have an maximum element
alphanumeric : 15 items
designation or
identifier for
standardized
 reference. Either or
both the label and the
entry may be used to
designate a particular
taxon.
The identifier of the JORUM uses the notation or
CharacterString
taxon, such as a classmark from the chosen
(smallest
number or letter unspecifie Repertoire of ISO/IEC 10646- classification scheme.
9.2.2.1 Id 1 permitted REQUIRED
combination provided d 1:200
maximum: 100
by the source of the
char) e.g. "K110"
taxonomy.
LangString JORUM uses terms from the
(smallest chosen classification scheme.
The textual label of unspecifie
9.2.2.2 Entry 1 permitted REQUIRED
the taxon. d
maximum: 500 e.g. "Architectural Design
char) Theory"
RECOMMENDE
9 Classification
D
Educational Level – this
relates to the cognitive or
grade level for which the
resource is intended. UK LOM
Core RECOMMENDs that the
UK Educational Levels
RECOMMENDE (UKEL) vocabulary SHOULD
9.1 Purpose "Educational Level" be used. UKEL terms
D
correspond directly to the
Scottish Credit and
Qualifications Framework.

JORUM has implemented the

UKEL classification scheme.
RECOMMENDE
9.2 Taxon Path
D
RECOMMENDE
9.2.1 Source "UKEL" UKEL
D
RECOMMENDE
9.2.2 Taxon
D
RECOMMENDE
9.2.2.1 Id e.g. "ukel11"
D
" UK Educational Level 1" RECOMMENDE
9.2.2.2 Entry
" UK Educational Level 2" D
 " UK Educational Level 3"
" UK Educational Level 4"
" UK Educational Level 5"
" UK Educational Level 6"
" UK Educational Level 7"
" UK Educational Level 8"
"UK Educational Level 9"
" UK Educational Level 10"
" UK Educational Level 11"
" UK Educational Level 12"
9 Classification OPTIONAL
Idea – this relates to the
concept contained in the
9.1 Purpose "idea" OPTIONAL resource. JORUM will
implement the LTSN Policy
Themes vocabulary.
9.2 Taxon Path OPTIONAL
"LTSN Policy Themes
9.2.1 Source OPTIONAL
Vocabulary Version 1.0"
9.2.2 Taxon OPTIONAL
9.2.2.
Id OPTIONAL
1
9.2.2.
Entry OPTIONAL e.g. "Distance students"
2
9 Classification OPTIONAL
JORUM will implement the
9.1 Purpose "educational objective" OPTIONAL
LTSN Pedagogic vocabulary.
9.2 Taxon Path OPTIONAL
"LTSN Pedagogic Vocabulary
9.2.1 Source OPTIONAL
Version 1.0"
9.2.2 Taxon OPTIONAL
9.2.2.1 Id OPTIONAL
9.2.2.2 Entry OPTIONAL e.g. "Problem solving"
RECOMMENDE
9 Classification
D
Accessibility Restrictions –
RECOMMENDE Accessibility metadata is
9.1 Purpose "Accessibility Restrictions"
D information about the
accessibility of a resource or
 learning object, which can be
used for filtering or
manipulating those resources,
so that a learner can find
learning objects that will
match their requirements or
preferences.

TechDis have drafted an

“Accessibility Metadata
Specification” that JORUM
has implemented for
describing the accessibility of
learning objects and resources.
RECOMMENDE
9.2 Taxon Path
D
RECOMMENDE
9.2.1 Source "Techdis"
D
RECOMMENDE
9.2.2 Taxon
D
RECOMMENDE
9.2.2.1 Id e.g. "_96_3._good_contrast"
D
RECOMMENDE
9.2.2.2 Entry e.g. "3. Good Contrast"
D

References

• The 'RDNLTSNType' list is documented at http://www.rdn.ac.uk/publications/rdn-ltsn/types/.

• The 'UKEL' (UK Educational Levels) list is documented at http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/metadata/education/ukel/.
• The 'UKEC' (UK Educational Contexts) list is documented at http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/metadata/education/ukec/.
• The LTSN policy themes vocabulary version 1.0 is documented at http://www.rdn.ac.uk/publications/rdn-ltsn/policy-themes/.
• The LTSN pedagogic vocabulary version 1.0 is documented at http://www.rdn.ac.uk/publications/rdn-ltsn/pedagogic-terms/.
• The Techdis accessibility metadata specification version 1.2 is documented at http://www.techdis.ac.uk/metadata/spec.html.