Reference Model
The eContentplus Best Practices Network ICOPER aims at contributing to a more effective and efficient technology-enhanced learning (TEL) in higher education (HE) and neighbouring educational contexts. The ICOPER Reference Model (IRM) provides a common frame of reference for stakeholders who wish to contribute to the design and development of outcome-oriented teaching and content for re-use. Driven by this objective the IRM is designed to improve interoperability of TEL systems and applications both at the processes level, as well as at the technical level (i.e. data and services).
The IRM is developed following the research and development cycle of design science (Pfeffers et al. 2007), with the following phases:
- problem identification and motivation,
- objectives for a solution,
- design and development,
- demonstration,
- evaluation, and
- communication.
The demonstration via implemented ICOPER prototypes and the sub-sequent evaluation play a crucial role in this endeavour. You can learn more about ICOPER prototypes in a dedicated course at the ICOPER Institute for Training & Consulting, which can be reached with this link.
Although the prototyping is an ongoing process and the evaluation phase has just started, several results can already be documented based on proof-of-concept implementations. These results include:
- A domain model developed around key concepts such as learning outcome, learning design (including teaching method), learning content, learning opportunities and assessment.
- Process models serving learners, learning facilitators, and other stakeholders in the deliver of outcome-oriented teaching.
- Service descriptions for
- search and retrieval service,
- publication service,
- user management service,
- recommendation service,
- harvesting service,
- registry service, and
- validation service.
- Data schemas for
- personal achieved learning outcomes, and
- learning designs.
The most recent version of the IRM is described in deliverable D-7.3, which can be downloaded here.
