ARACORE: AN ARABIC LEARNING OBJECT METADATA FOR INDEXING LEARNING RESOURCES

Abstract

In the era of information systems globalization the need to have educational metadata to index and describe digital learning resources for easy searching, retrieving and reusing them quickly and efficiently is becoming an essential research topic in learning technologies discipline. In this paper we will present a brief overview of metadata standards, protocols and application profiles. Then we will discuss the issues related to the need for an Arabic learning object metadata. Also we will urge for the formation of a community of practitioners to identify guidelines for metadata implementers, creators and users in the use of metadata in e-learning content among Arabs. Finally, we propose a sample metadata application profile called AraCore which will be based on the IEEE 1484.12.1-2002 standard. This will be our first attempt to help the Arab community to think about creating an Arabic learning object metadata application profile to be used in assessing the exchange of Arabic learning objects.