This paper investigates basic research issues that need to be addressed in order to reuse learning objects in a flexible way. We propose an ontology based approach. Our ontology for learning objects defines content structures and relationships between their components. A conceptual framework for structuring learning objects and their components is introduced. Architectures like Horn's Information Blocks and the Darwin Information Typing Architecture are investigated as an approach to define learning object component types.

No abstract

No abstract

In this paper, we focus on the development of a framework for automatic metadata generation. The first step towards this framework is the definition of an Application Programmer Interface (API), which we call the Simple Indexing Interface (SII). The second step is the definition of a framework for implementation of the SII. Both steps are presented in some detail in this paper. We also report on empirical evaluation of the metadata that the SII and supporting framework generated in a real-life context.