Proposal for a DITA "Learning and training content specialization" subcommittee

[john_hunt@us.ibm.com]

Esteemed DITA TC members - 

For your consideration at the TC meeting on Tuesday, July 18, 2006, I propose
that the TC officially establish a "Learning and training content"
subcommittee. The below provides the proposal name, goals, deliverables,
chair, and initial membership for this proposed subcommittee. 

Thank you for your consideration and support. 

John Hunt 
IBM Software Group/Lotus Software
phone: 617.693.5490
john_hunt@us.ibm.com 

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Subcommittee name 
"DITA learning and training content
specialization" 

Goals 
The subcommittee has the following statement
of initial goals: 
1.        Develop
a general top-level design for structured, intent-based authoring of learning
content with good learning architecture, following DITA principles and
best practices. Such a design would build on past work on topic-based content,
reusable learning objects, and the learning content types needed to support
them. Some specifics of a DITA design for learning content include: 
a.        learning
types, including assessments and exercises 
b.        a map domain for structuring and managing
the learning types as reusable learning objects 
c.        linking, relationships, and simple sequencing
d.        interactions 
e.        style policies for learning content 
f.        dynamic sequencing. 
2.        Establish
guidelines that promote best practices for applying standard DITA approaches
to learning content, which include: 
a.        separation
of presentation and content (as much as possible) 
b.        separation of content and context 
c.        single sourcing, repurposing, and reuse.

3.        Develop
support for processing DITA for general delivery as learning and training,
including print and presentation delivery to support instructor-led training
(ILT), web delivery for distance learning, and computer-based training
delivery in general. 
4.        Develop targeted support for processing DITA
learning content for delivery with standards-based learning, specifically
targeting SCORM and QTI. Specifically, extend DITA processing to support
basic SCORM sequencing, interactions, and required SCORM LMS runtime behaviors.
Leverage QTI behaviors to drive the interactions. Address the issue of
"levels" from a simple implementation to full SCORM and beyond.
5.        Build on existing DITA infrastructure (editors,
CMS, transforms) as much as possible so learning content developers do
not have to start from scratch. 

Proposed chair 
John Hunt, IBM (though open to other
nominations or co-chair) 

Deliverables 
Proposed initial work products for the
subcommittee include the following: 
Task 1: 1 month on review of structured designs for learning and how to
apply DITA principles and best practices. 
Task 2: 1 month on developing a top-level plan for map a DITA specialization
for learning content, including identifying the learning types, map domains,
content domains, and processing support needed to support the design. 
Task 3: X months on developing DITA schemas and processing, and piloting
and validating the top-level designs against sample content. 
Task 4: 1 month on reviewing the pilot, writing and reviewing a progress
report. Close this phase of the activity with a progress report to the
TC, with recommended next steps. 

Initial membership 
The following TC members have expressed
interest as initial members in this subcommittee: 
1.        Bruce Esrig, Lucent (or other person from
Lucent) 
2.        Jennifer Linton, Comtech Services, Inc. 
3.        Scott Hudson, Flatiron Solutions 
4.        Christian Kravogel, SeicoDyne 
5.        Erik Hennum, IBM 
6.        John Hunt, IBM 
In addition, several new members have
expressed interest in joining the TC to participate in this SC.