Universalizing chasqui repositories with a flexible importation / exportation system

Abstract

Chasqui defines an architecture for repositories of learning objects in specialized domains that has been refined during the virtualization of two academic museums at Complutense University of Madrid (Spain). Learning objects in Chasqui follow the virtual object model, a specific model that has arisen and evolved during the two virtualization experiences cited. In this paper we describe how the Chasqui architecture can be extended with a flexible importation / exportation system that lets Chasqui repositories store learning material developed with other application profiles as virtual objects. This system makes the practical interoperability between Chasqui repositories and other third-party e-learning platforms and authoring tools possible. We also illustrate this feature with several case-studies. © 2007 Springer.