ELML
Definition
The eLesson Markup Language (eLML) is an open source XML framework for creating structured eLessons using XML. For easier lesson authoring eLML currently offers an offline (OpenOffice based - see below) editor.
History
eLML emerged from the Swiss Virtual Campus GITTA project. Based on a selected pedagogical concept the team developed a DTD (later an XMLSchema) which described exactly what a GITTA lesson could or should contain and in which order. After nearly three years of using and improving the GITTA structure, it was decided to make both the DTD (now an XMLSchema) and the corresponding XSL files to create both HTML and PDF public.
The eLML model
The pedagogical model behind eLML is a modification of Gerson's e-class design. According to ECLASS - The pedagogical concept behind eLML (retrieved 17:22, 30 May 2007 (MEST)) it has the following components:
- E - Entry refers to the introductory statements made before each single lecture unit in a class. An example for an entry could be: What is to be discussed? Why is this topic being introduced? Originally the first E stood for "explain" which is also what the introduction does.File:ECLASS.gifECLASS model
- C - Clarify represents the core of what is being taught in a unit and its key concepts. In this section, the reading of facts is inevitable. Module related concepts are conveyed. In our case, Data Presentation, a short example is shown to help students visualize the problem.
- L - Look allows students to review examples or samples of a model that will be taught. It defines the important aspects of the unit through illustrations, animations, videos, white board activities etc.
- A - Act is to encourage the student to practice what he or she has just been taught. It should be an important integral part of the online learning course, as it actively engages the student.
- S - Self-assessments should give students the opportunity to test for themselves, what they have learned. What is important here is to provide the necessary feedback for each test completed, so as to involve the learner, and as would a traditional teacher, show what is correct or incorrect - a constructive description, prepared in advance, is postulated.
- S - Summary is a new point added to M. Gersons structure. It should sum up a unit and point out the main facts shown in this unit. It should contain what was learned and possibly also further expectations. In Gerson (2000) the second S stood for share, meaning group exercises. In the self-developed learning structure eLML, we introduced the Summary as second S and used only one exercise object, the self-assessment
Compared to Gerson's Explain, Clarify, Look, Act, Share, Self Evaluate/Submit it focuses more on individual learning, i.e. there is no sharing aspect and self-evaluation is reduced somewhat.
Software
Links
- Official