(CLOE) project promotes the reuse and repurposing of actual learning objects and uses a 

highly defined quality assurance strategy. A flow chart of this strategy and an example 

resource evaluation form used by CLOE can be found in Appendix A and B of this report. 

Other repositories rely on a user based peer review process and star rating system, to 

determine what should be classified as quality content. 

2.4.5 Open Source 

A number of learning repositories are currently providing a service based on open source 

software. If the initiative is providing an online catalogue of web based resources or access to 

digital resources then there are many suitable open source options. Examples of these 

include the DLearn repository that uses the DSpace repository software and Connexions that 

uses the Plone content management software as a foundation for its repository service. 

However, the open source community is still mainly focussed around institutional repositories 

and the preservation of academic outputs. This is evident with open source developments 

such as EPrints

1

. This focus means that metadata schemes based on standards such as 

Dublin Core are heavily supported within these repositories. Intensive customisation is 

required to integrate learning object standards such as IEEE LOM Metadata and IMS Content 

Packaging into these open source systems. Therefore projects that provide learning object 

management and content packaging are often limited when considering an open source 

implementation. The open source watch report submitted to the JISC

2

, provides further 

details. 

2.4.6 Peer to Peer 

There appears to be growing support for the de centralised architecture of peer to peer 

repositories than for the more traditional centralised approach. Peer to peer repositories have 

been popular for many years through the rise of file sharing. Learning repository initiatives 

such as Splash and Lionshare are using peer to peer technology to allow institutions to 

administer their own implementation while at the same time providing search facilities to all 

other instances of the repository. The peer to peer solution is an approach to overcome the 

difficulties that some communities regard centralised repositories as being inaccessible silos 

of content. However, with many centralised learning repositories now offering federated 

search options, the difficulties inherent in the centralised approach are being overcome. 

2.4.7 Community Support 

Some of the more established sites support additional features that help encourage 

communities of interest to develop alongside the repository. These help with encouragement 

of users to revisit on a more regular basis and develop a culture and understanding about the 

importance of learning resources. Australia's EdNA online supports and encourages the 

development of communities in a number of ways: 

 Groups 

 Mail 

lists 

Forums & Chat 

 Developers 

tool 

kits 

 RSS 

Feeds 

Relevant News, Events and Links 

 Newsletters 

 Training 

 Publications 

 Best 

practice 

guides 

1

http://www.eprints.org/

2

 `Report on Open Source Learning Object Management Systems' August 2005, JORUM Team. 

Page 58 of 84