Sharing e-Learning Object Metadata Using ebXML Registries for Semantic Grid Computing

To facilitate the processes of e-learning resource description, discovery and reuse, e-learning objects should be appropriately described and classified using standard metadata that need to be published in a registry to reduce duplication of effort and enhance semantic interoperability. This paper describes how standard ebXML registries can be used for semantic grid computing for annotating, storing, discovering and retrieving e-learning object metadata. For semantic annotation of e-learning objects, IEEE Learning Object Metadata (LOM) is adopted as the metadata ontology. In order to support the e-learning metadata ontology in interoperable ebXML registries, a mapping scheme between LOM and ebXML Registry Information Model (RIM) is proposed. The usefulness of sharing e-learning object metadata is demonstrated by prototyping a semantic registry based on the scheme.