Authoring environment for e-learning production based on independent XML formats

Abstract

E-learning content production has faced the problem of making content independent from authoring applications and delivery platforms. Both aspects are very relevant to the need of keeping learning institutions as much independent as possible from software vendors. Content independence and interoperability is also required to easily share and move e-learning repositories. We propose a user friendly authoring environment based on the independent, open and XML compliant product Docbook; its simple, flexible and well structured markup make it easy to interoperate with other XML languages, particularly those related to e-learning. We are particularly interested in IMS Content Packaging and IMS QTI because they allow importing learning material into our Sakai based learning management system named PoliformaT. Docbook has also a powerful and fully customizable set of XSLT styles sheets that allow high quality web and paper delivery. The user front end is built on the commercial XML editor from XMLmind XXE. The major part of the environment is portable to other XML editors because it relies exclusively on Docbook components. At the moment the proposal presented is much more flexible, usable and productive than the available alternatives.