ECOOL: Generation of Collaborative Multiplatform Scenarios with Interactive Learning Objects

In this paper we present a method for automatically generating a series of Collaborative Multiplatform Scenarios based on Interactive Learning Objects. The overall learning process of a learner interacting with an eLearning system is interpreted as a workflow that provides tools to guide individual and group learning processes. There is a plethora of learning environments but the collaboration management and definition is only included intrinsically, while in this approach is explicitly included as a first class citizen and spread over the whole process. On top of classical standards used for specifying learning objects, a meta-description of scenarios is defined based on an extension brought to UsiXML, a XMLcompliant User Interface Description Language. Describing a user interface in this way facilitates the automated generation of user interfaces over multiple computing platforms while maintaining portability and consistency between the multiple versions. Finally, the extension brought to UsiXML is intended to support the interaction description via Learning Objects. This approach is illustrated based on Claroline, an open Source eLearning and eWorking software platform allowing teachers to build effective online courses and to manage learning and collaborative activities on the web for the learners.