Edu-sharing
 | |
| Developer(s) | DFG-project CampusContent, edu-sharing community |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 3.0 / February 2016 |
| Operating system | SLES10, OpenSuse11.1, OpenSuse11.2, Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Server, Ubuntu 10.04.1.LTS |
| Type | Content Management System |
| License | GPL |
| Website | edu-sharing.com |
edu-sharing edu-sharing is an inter-connectable repository system for the co-operative creation, management and usage of learning and knowledge content. It is based on open source software. Each repository can be embedded in applications such as authoring systems or learning environments.
Application
The field of application of the system is mainly in the educational area. In this context it extends the document management functionality of learning management systems. Tutors can use the system to create, exchange, review and use learning contents and didactic experiences (stored as learning scenarios). Content stored in the repository can be made available using learning management systems connected via web services.
Features
For the management and exchange of content the system uses a virtual desktop which combines a file manager with a mind map (associogram) and provides a visual survey of the folders and documents and their relationships maintained under the control of a single user or group. The system offers different search options such as a faceted search. Edu-sharing supports any metadata sets such as LOM and Dublin Core. For the usage of content stored in the repository in an educational scenario, the system offers interfaces to learning management systems such as Moodle and metacoon. The so-called rendering-service enables the usage of content which is not naively supported by learning management systems. Examples for such content items are: SCORM-courses, QTI-compliant tests and drills, audio and video files or courses of learning management systems. In order to facilitate the re-use of content users may attach licenses (e.g. Creative Commons) to their content units. Compared to other repository systems for learning content, edu-sharing offers some specific features:
- autonomy (Each repository is managed independently (for instance by an educational organization) Each installation forms an independent content-pool.)[1][2]
- secure working spaces (Single users or groups can cooperatively manage content in private environments. The publication of content is optional)[3]
- interfaces to learning environments
Network
edu-sharing repositories can be connected to each other as well as to other repositories or repository-networks. This enables the exchange of content across the borders of systems and organizations. The edu-sharing network is coordinated by the edu-sharing.net association. edu-sharing.net is based in Weimar, Germany. The association also has an office in Chongqing, China. The association was founded in February 2010 by key persons of the DFG-funded project and competence center in e-learning, CampusContent,[4][5] and of IT companies who were involved in the project’s technology development.
History
edu-sharing is the outcome the project “CampusContent” of the FernUniversität in Hagen,[6] which was initiated and directed by Bernd Krämer. CampusContent was subsidized by the DFG. Although CampusContent originally targeted academic education and the idea of open educational resources, it turned out that schools have a high need for technology supporting sharing and re-use of educational content and codified teaching know-how. This is why the system was used in schools before the application in universities. Since the end of the period of sponsorship in 2009 the development of the Open Source software has been managed by a network of IT-service providers which are members of the edu-sharing association.
Technology
The edu-sharing-repository is based on the Alfresco document management system. The GUI uses the Google Web Toolkit. The rendering service has been developed in PHP.
Literature
- Michael Klebl, Bernd J. Krämer, Annett Zobel: From content to practice: Sharing educational practice in edu-sharing. British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(2010), Nr. 6, S. 936-951 ().
- Bernd J. Krämer, Michael Klebl, Annett Zobel: Sharing Educational Knowledge and Best Practices in Edu-sharing. In: Second International Conference on Mobile, Hybrid, and On-line Learning, Saint Maarten, The Netherlands, Antilles, 2010, ISBN 978-0-7695-3955-3, S. 53–59 ().
- Bernd J. Krämer, Michael Klebl, Annett Zobel: edu-sharing – das Portal zur Vernetzung von Anbietern und Nutzern digitaler Lernressourcen. Waxmann Verlag GmbH, Münster 2010, ISBN 978-3-8309-2326-8, S. 20–36 ().
External links
- official project webpage (multilingual)
- webpage of the research project
References
- ↑ Distributed Repositories for Educational Content. e-learning and education (eleed).
- ↑ Distributed Repositories for Educational Content. e-learning and education (eleed).
- ↑ edu-sharing – das Portal zur Vernetzung von Anbietern und Nutzern digitaler Lernressourcen. Tagungsband GML2010.
- ↑ website of the project "CampusContent.
- ↑ e-teaching.org
- ↑ website of the project "CampusContent.