Technology Based Learning
Mark J. Norton

The links below are research notes, and other materials that I have written over the past seven years. These papers are listed chronologically here, to convey how my thinking has changed over the years, though many of the ideas in earlier works are still valid today. Some of these are fragmentary while others are more completely presented.

Simple Sequencing Overview (Jan. 31,2002)

This short paper illustrates the various sequencing modes present in Simple Sequencing and how rules are used to determine order in a Content Packaging organization structure.

SCO Sequencing (June 7, 2001)

The ADL Co-lab extended the IMS Content Packaging spec to represent simple sequences in an organization block. This page examines a linear sequence, branching sequence, and a sequence with loop-backs to explore how different kinds of sequences could be represented in the organization block.

Portable Competencies (June 4, 2001)

Competency, measurement of skill acquisition, conceptual mastery, and learning objectives are all an important part of a performance based training system. How can we define these things in a portable manner? I present a use case and create a definition of competencies which should meet most needs.

The OKI Arc Model (May 25, 2001)

This note is an examination of the OKI content data model. It examines the implications of a simple entity relationship diagram and further expands on the need for an independent way to represent behavior in learning objects.

SCO Behavior (May 2, 2001)

I have some concerns about the SCORM model requring a communication link between the learning activity running in a learning's computer and an LMS on a server somewhere. Experience indictes that this is hard to implement. Phil Dodds suggested that other approaches were considered, but this is the one that will work. This paper explores some of the issues with SCO Behavior and proposes a server-side initialization model which replaces the communication link propses by SCORM.

Tabula: A Framework for Technology Based Learning Architectures (May 2, 2001)

Tabula is presented as high level framework for the creation of diverse learning systems. It will define certain basic methods for service discovery, communication, data sharing, installation, and administration of components. This approach fosters distributed learning systems and interoperability. In addition to the framework document, it includes papers on system configurations, discovery, the co-existence of content objects,, and communication.

Representing Learning Object Behavior (May 2, 2001)

More thoughts based on convesations with Phillip Dodds. This short piece discusses the need to create representations of the behavior of aggregated learning objects. Presentation, interaction, and navigation behaviors are described as a way of representing pedagogy.

Aggregation Models (May 2, 2001)

This note is based on a conversation I had with Phillip Dodds, Director of the ADL. It describes several approaches to aggregating content using a wide variety of techniques. It examines problems with ordering and organization.

Component Based Architectures (April 28, 2001)

Based on discussions at the MIT Open Knowledge Initiative (OKI) kick off meeting (April 26, 27, 2001) a component based architecture is proposed and examined. Some examples of component architectures are provided and an attempt is made to classify components into general groups.

An IMS Archtectural Model (April 23, 2001)

A simple architectural diagram was published in the IMS Content Packaging Specification, v1.2 which is simplified and then analyzed for missing pieces, etc.

An Abstract System Model for eLearning (April 3, 2001)

This is an attempt to fit existing IMS specifications into an abstract system architecture. It identifies some missing pieces and issues that need to be considered going forward.

Learning Structures (July 16, 1997)

This is a paper written in 1997 when I was at MicroMentor, Inc. in Cambridge, MA. It presents the idea of combining display templates with simple behaviors to capture different styles of learning and pedagogy. It is similar to the approach taken by the Open University in the UK.

Process Diagrams (July 2, 1997)

Nine types of pedagogical learning styles are diagrams with no explanations.

Learning Models (Jan. 9, 1996)

This paper is the start of trying to represent pedagogies using very abstractmodels. It builds on the Learning Structure concepts in the paper above.

Learning Model Components (Jan. 30, 1996)

More work on categorizing basic learning models. This includes different types of references, testing, Situation, and Simulation.

Learning Structure Notes (Jan. 18, 1996)

This is a collection of diagrams, tables, etc. A kind of cheat sheet for Learing Structures and related concepts. This was originally used as a support piece for a lecture on Learning Structures.

Media Objects (Jan. 26, 1996)

Media Objects is a collection of notes on aspects of presentation in learning activities.