Ontology of Learning Object Content Structure

Abstract

This paper proposes an ontology that enables a formal definition of Learning Object (LO) content structure. The ontology extends the Abstract Learning Object Content Model (ALOCoM) with concepts from information architectures. It defines a number of concepts that represent different types of content units and it specifies their structure. Formalising structural aspects of LOs, the ontology facilitates re-purposing of LOs at different levels of content granularity, i.e. LOs in their entirety and their components. Furthermore, being a generic LO content model, the ontology serves as an integration point of heterogeneous LO content models.