Edu-sharing

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:

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

External links


References

  1. Distributed Repositories for Educational Content. e-learning and education (eleed).
  2. Distributed Repositories for Educational Content. e-learning and education (eleed).
  3. edu-sharing – das Portal zur Vernetzung von Anbietern und Nutzern digitaler Lernressourcen. Tagungsband GML2010.
  4. website of the project "CampusContent.
  5. e-teaching.org
  6. website of the project "CampusContent.
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