The Goal
The aims of this work are to provide a set of new functionality and to produce some definitive clarifications on areas of uncertainty for the specification while maintaining backwards compatibility with the current version (v1.1.4). A significant part of the work is to completely rewrite the documentation set so that it is based upon the current best practices used by IMS. The functional requirements are categorized as:
-
Clarification on the construction and usage of (sub)manifests;
- Miscellaneous functional clarifications;
- Improved support for accessibility;
- Templates for the usage of Content Packages;
- Improved and clarified compatibility with other IMS specifications;
- Improved and clarified compatibility with non-IMS specifications.
Participants
 .jpg)  
The Current Situation
The IMS Content Packaging specification is used to define the data format for the exchange of learning resources (or learning objects) from one program to another, facilitating easier delivery, reuse and sharing of materials. IMS Packages enable you to export content from one Learning Content Management System or digital repository, and import it into another while retaining information describing the media in the IMS Package, and how it is structured, such as a table of contents or which web page to show first. The IMS Content Packaging specification focuses on the packaging and transport of resources, but doesn't determine the nature of those resources. This is because the specification allows adopters to gather, structure and aggregate content in an unlimited variety of formats.
Prior to the current work, IMS Content Packaging version 1.1 was the most recent major functional revision, completed in April 2001. Since then there have been many requests for mostly minor functional additions and corrections, resulting in the version 1.1.x series of this specification. Requests for a few major additions were allowed to accumulate as practice matured around implementing IMS Content Packaging. The CM/DN Draft v2.0 was released in March 2007. We expect the Final Release to be completed after interoperability demonstrations in the near future.
The Rationale
Content Packaging is the IMS specification that has broadest adoption. There are millions of content packages used in a variety of applications. Content Packaging is a core reference used in SCORMv1.2, SCORM2004 and the soon to be issued IMS Common Cartridge. The creation of Content Packaging v1.2 should be considered as the last functional revision to be undertaken by IMS on this specification. It is anticipated that, once completed, IMS will most likely only undertake maintenance releases as and when the need for corrections and clarifications arise. IMS has received feedback on the usage of Content Packaging from the community as a whole and coupled with its wide adoption implies that this is the right time to make a significant update and definitive release for this specification. IMS is also undertaking this work with representatives from the IEEE LTSC with a view to this specification undergoing adoption standardization by the IEEE.
Further Information
For information on IMS GLC and the benefits of being a Contributing Member, please contact:
Rob Abel
Chief Executive Officer
IMS Global Learning Consortium
Contact Us
| 
