Re: [dita] Nested Sections

[john_hunt@us.ibm.com]

Hi all - 

Since the discussion involves learning objects and DITA, I'll jump into
the fray... 

The approach Michael outlines here very much parallels the approach we
took with the sample DITA learning specializations Bob Bernard and I describe
in our recent two-part article on using DITA to model an XML-based information
architecture for learning content on the IBM developerWorks website. 

The DITA design and process model is described in part a, here - http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/xml/library/x-dita9a/

Sample content and DITA schema downloads in part b, here - http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/xml/library/x-dita9b/

This design proposes using a map domain to structure the specific set DITA
topics that comprise a reusable learning object. 

The specialized learning topics include a learningAssessment type, modeled
very much as Michael suggests below for question, where a learningassess
container topic can contain nested assessment items. 

<learningassess> 
      <title>...</title>
      <learningassessbody...</learningassessbody>
      <learningassess> 
            <title>...</title>
            <learningassessbody...</learningassessbody>
      </learningassess> 
      <learningassess> 
            <title>...</title>
            <learningassessbody...</learningassessbody>
      </learningassess> 
      <learningassess> 
            <title>...</title>
            <learningassessbody...</learningassessbody>
      </learningassess> 
      <learningassess> 
            <title>...</title>
            <learningassessbody...</learningassessbody>
      </learningassess> 
</learningassess> 

The container learningassess topic provides a title for the assessment
group, and its body content might provide instructions or objectives/context
for the assessment. Each nested learningassess provides a specific assessment
item. 

This potentially makes these items available for use in other assessments
for other learning objects, makes it possible to create assessments by
drawing from a larger pool of available learningassess items and assembling
a sub-set via a map or conrefs, and so on. 

In short, making it possible to de-couple a specific assessment item from
the particular assessment context makes these items potentially more reusable,
without limiting your ability to keep them together in a single group as
nested assessments. 

John Hunt
IBM DITA Learning Architect & Lotus ID Architect
IBM Software Group/Lotus Software
john_hunt@us.ibm.com