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WHITE PAPER

Facilitating content reuse between technical publications and training

Understanding S1000D & SCORM

Table of contents

WHITE PAPER - UNDERSTANDING S1000D & SCORM 2

Introduction --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

What is S1000D? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4

What is SCORM? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

S1000D & SCORM Working Together ---------------------------------------------- 6

Learning Objects in S1000D ----------------------------------------------------------- 6

Pulling it all Together --------------------------------------------------------------------- 7

The Bridge Project ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7

Beyond the Classroom ----------------------------------------------------------------- 8

Pulling it all Together --------------------------------------------------------------------- 8

Just in Time Training ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

Job Performance Aids ------------------------------------------------------------------ 9

The Benefits --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

Conclusion ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

Understanding S1000D & SCORMIntroduction

Wouldn’t it be ideal if the product information used to train technicians was exactly the same information used to repair and maintain your products in the field? And wouldn’t it be better yet if learning content could be easily updated every time your technical documentation changed?

While content reuse between different information resources has long been a promise of XML, when it comes to aerospace and defense technical documentation, the reality is that many organizations are still coping with content “silos” in their technical publications and training departments. Regardless of how dedicated your training staff may be, the manual and ongoing effort to keep training information synchronized with technical documentation can be overwhelming and often leads to outdated and inaccurate learning content being used in the classroom.

But things are about to improve, thanks to collaboration between the S1000D and SCORM standards communities on a project that bridges technical publications and learning content.

This White Paper provides an overview of the S1000D and SCORM specifications and discusses the S1000D-SCORM “Bridge Project”, which aims to facilitate content reuse between technical publications and training by defining an API that will connect learning content tools with S1000D Common Source Data Bases (CSDBs).

The S1000D and SCORM communities have been working diligently to integrate and mature both standards, to create a high degree of compatibility between the two specifications, and to drive significant improvements into the way aerospace and defense organizations produce, reuse, deliver, and consume technical documentation and learning content. And the combination of these two powerful standards has the potential to become very valuable.


What Is S1000D?

S1000D is an international specification for the procurement and production of technical publications that supports land, sea, and air applications for both civil and military programs¹. It is jointly produced by the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD), Aerospace Industries of America (AIA) and the Air Transport Association (ATA).

S1000D makes use of standard technologies, particularly XML, to define a neutral and modular format for technical content. It also provides an interchange methodology and defines possible functionality for Interactive Electronic Technical Publications (IETPs).

The S1000D specification provides capabilities for:

� Standardized content creation

� Standardized identification management & content structures

� Reuse of content for cross-media publications

� Management and interchange of content

� Change and revision management in relation to product changes

� Advanced delivery capabilities using Interactive Electronic Technical Publications (IETPs)

Content produced in accordance with S1000D is authored in XML using a modular format called a “data module”. An authored data module typically contains a description of a product object or a maintenance procedure and is defined as a “self-contained unit of information”. It carries all its own configuration data, including identification code, title, issue number, issue date, security class and applicability. Individual data modules are identified by globally unique identifiers called Data Module Codes (DMCs) that use logical and specific numbering principles to facilitate the storage and management of data modules in a Common Source Data Base (CSDB).

S1000D aggregates data modules into a completed publication by means of an XML “publication module” which references the data modules within the appropriate book structure. A data module can be included in multiple publication modules; and this is how S1000D achieves content reuse.


¹ S1000D Issue 4.0 can be downloaded at http://public.s1000d.org/Downloads/Pages/S1000DDownloads.aspx

What Is SCORM?

The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) also integrates a set of related technical standards, specifications and guidelines to meet SCORM’s high-level requirements for accessible, interoperable, durable, and reusable learning content and systems. SCORM content can be delivered to your learners via any SCORM-compliant Learning Management System (LMS) that supports the same version of SCORM².

SCORM is developed and published by ADL (Advanced Distributed Learning) [www.adlnet.org] and describes a content aggregation model and run-time environment for instructional objects.

It supports adaptive instructions based on a learner’s goals, preferences, prior performance and other factors³ and enables content objects to be aggregated independent of their format.

Content can be easily rearranged based on learners’ needs and the resulting content packages can then be interpreted by any SCORM-compliant Learning Management System.

SCORM compliance leverages course development investments by ensuring that compliant courses are:

� ACCESSIBLE: Can be run by any SCORM-compliant system; easy access for both learners and content developers.

� INTEROPERABLE: Operates across a wide variety of hardware, operating systems and web browsers.

� DURABLE: Does not require significant modifications due to new versions of system software or updates to content or format.

� REUSABLE: SCO concepts allow for content reuse in different applications and contexts.


² http://www.adlnet.gov/Technologies/scorm/default.aspx

³ SCORM 2004 3rd Edition Overview Version 1.0, page SCORM-1-5

S1000D and SCORM Working Together

As of Issue 4.0 of the S1000D specification (released in August 2008), a relationship between S1000D and SCORM has been defined so that training content can be developed using the data module concepts of S1000D. To accomplish this, new data module types were added to S1000D to capture five different learning information types.

In addition to new data module types, S1000D Issue 4.0 includes an identification mechanism so that learning content can easily be identified and located within your CSDB. Once you have written your learning content, the various content pieces are aggregated using the S1000D SCORM content package. So just like any other S1000D data module, learning data modules are stored as XML in your Common Source Data Base.

Learning Objects In S1000DStoring learning data modules in the CSDB facilitates reuse and can ensure that training content is synchronized with product technical documentation throughout the document lifecycle. This improves overall configuration management of your product information and serves as a common digital data format that can be exchanged with partners and customers.

The five learning information types that can be stored in the CSDB are described below:

1. LEARNING PLAN

Purpose: To describe learning needs, goals, and other information necessary to the lesson planning process.

Typical content: Project-related information, learning needs and goals based on performance analysis, cause analysis data or intervention definitions.

2. LEARNING OVERVIEW

Purpose: To provide additional information about the content to the learner.

Typical content: Goals and challenges, duration, or audience for the course or module.



3. LEARNING CONTENT

Purpose: to provide (additional) learning content to the learner

Typical Content: content to be learned in addition to technical instructions, procedures or other knowledge about a job, task or product description.

4. LEARNING SUMMARY

Purpose: to provide a review of the content, provide context to the learner and reinforce learning

Typical Content: short description of the content, review notes, further steps, and where to find additional information and related resources

5. LEARNING ASSESSMENT

Purpose: to test the student’s knowledge in different ways, reinforce learning and measure progress

Typical Content: questions with true/false answers, and/or multiple choice questions, etc.

Pulling it all Together

The introduction of SCORM into the S1000D specification includes a content aggregation concept called the “S1000D SCORM Content Package”, which is similar in concept and function to the S1000D Publication Module.

The SCORM Content Package aggregates defined SCOs (Shareable Content Objects) into learning packages (for example, a training course). A single SCO contains all the learning content needed to fulfill one complete learning objective.

A SCO can consist of one or several data modules and illustrations, and can be reused in different training courses. Just like the Publication Module, the S1000D SCORM Content Package is encoded in XML. In order to be SCORM-compliant, a content aggregation package according to the SCORM syntax must be generated.

Data Module

Data Module

Data Module

Data Module

Data Module

Data Module

Data Module

Data Module

Data Module

CREATION CONTENT AGGREGATIONCONTENT ORGANIZATIONCSDB RESOURCES

<Organization>

<Item>

<Item>

<Item>

<Item>

<Item>

Asset

Asset

Asset

Asset

SCO

SCO

LMS SYSTEM


The Bridge Project

The international S1000D-SCORM Bridge Project Team is comprised of aerospace and defense organizations and industry representatives from the United States, Sweden, Norway, and Italy. The main objective of the Bridge Project is to provide a common and interoperable protocol and data exchange methodology so that an Application Programming Interface (API) can be implemented between learning content tools and S1000D CSDBs.

This API will enable content developers to access learning data within technical publication environments and products, and will enable training course developers to access technical publication data within learning environments and products. This will not only ensure that training content is developed and maintained using authoritative product source data, it facilitates interoperability between countries and between civil and defense applications.

The defined goals and requirements for the S1000D-SCORM Bridge API4 are:

1. Connect learning content tools to Common Source Data Bases(CSDBs)

2. Enable content reuse for learning content from the source

3. Manage learning content with technical product data

4. Assure product data readiness

5. Compile SCORM from an S1000D-enabled CSDB

Beyond The ClassroomThe use of learning content isn’t just limited to instructor-led classroom environments or web-enabled computer-based training (CBT) initiatives. In fact, easily-accessible learning content has far-reaching potential for “beyond the classroom” delivery to information consumers.

4 For additional information about the S1000D-SCORM Bridge API Project, see the Project Team’s White Paper at http://www.adlnet.gov/Technologies/scorm/SCORMSDocuments/Bridge%20API%20Project-Whitepaper-20101124.pdf


Just-In-Time TrainingJust-in-time training or point-of-use information can be used to augment the content provided for a technical procedure. Just-in-time training provides instruction for doing a task right at the moment when it is needed. Often provided in the form of e-learning, this training can be delivered when and where it is required.

One significant issue with training is how much time elapses between learning something and applying what you have learned. If what you learn is not put to use quickly, it will be forgotten; just-in-time training eliminates this effect since training is delivered immediately before the task in question is performed. To facilitate this, it is essential that training be targeted to a user’s role. Electronic resources such as IETP also facilitate just-in-time training by enabling training content and technical data to be accessed from a single information resource.

Since S1000D and SCORM both allow the use of multimedia and web technology, using the two standards together in an IETP takes just-in-time training to a whole new level. The use of audio, video, animation, simulation, and virtual task training makes for a highly-effective and engaging information resource that is available at exactly the right moment.

Job Performance AidsAlthough similar to just-in-time training, Job Performance Aids (JPAs) began as printed cards that contained step-by-step instructions for performing a specific task so that technicians did not have to commit all the steps to memory.

Today, JPAs can include anything that improves job performance by guiding, facilitating or reminding technicians during the accomplishment of job tasks. JPAs are considered instructional interventions because they also mediate knowledge and skills problems. However, job aids are not really intended to produce learning; learning that does occur as a result of using a JPA is considered supplementary.

Simply put, JPAs can contain anything you ever wanted in a maintenance manual. They can replace static 2D drawings and countless paragraphs of instructional text with photos, illustrations, animations or instructional videos. Instead of reading about the right way to do an inspection or repair, a JPA may allow a technician to simply watch a video that demonstrates the correct way to successfully complete the task.

Just-in-time training can be delivered when and where it is required. Using S1000D and SCORM together takes just-in-time training to a whole new level.

Using JPAs improves readiness and safety, and reduces repair time and costly mistakes.

The Benefits

An integrated environment for S1000D and SCORM provides the aviation and defense industries with numerous benefits that will reduce costs and ensure that technical documentation and learning content are accurate, consistent and current:

� Better collaboration between technical publications and training organizations

� Easier creation and validation of learning materials by using controlled technical publications as input source data

� Improved planning and control of product information as learning material is always updated with the latest versions from tech pubs

� Reduced production time and faster time to market

� Increased quality and consistency between training and technical documentation

� Greater longevity for content based on industry standards

� A single standard supports content that is simple and inexpensive to produce, as well as content with very high production value

Conclusion

The S1000D and SCORM communities have been working diligently to integrate and mature both standards, to create a high degree of compatibility between the two specifications, and to drive significant improvements into the way aerospace and defense organizations pro-duce, reuse, deliver, and consume technical documentation and learn-ing content.

The possibilities promised by the combined use of SCORM and S1000D include reduced costs, more consistent and accurate information re-sources, and improved mean time to repair. When information consum-ers have access to interactive training exactly when they need it, good things happen. Quality goes up, costs go down, and job satisfaction improves. And the combination of these two powerful standards has the potential to be far more valuable than the sum of its individual parts.


S1000Dand SCORM

An integrated environment for S1000D and SCORM provides numerous benefits.

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ABOUT FLATIRONS SOLUTIONS

Flatirons Solutions® provides solutions for content lifecycle management for large asset industries like aviation, defense, rail, and marine. For more than 20 years, it has helped manufacturers, operators, and military forces maintain and operate complex assets more effectively. Its software and service solutions help organizations to deliver the right information, at the right time, to the right people.

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