Hi Jenny, hi everyone
Thanks for starting things moving with this.

I think that we need to define our target audience quite carefully, we could
be thinking about people who are complete beginners and who would want to
know about "what is Metadata", or we could be talking about people who are
experienced in metadata of one form or another, but are new to IMS.  We also
need to think about the type of publication: are looking for a few pages or
something that is a substantial guide.

I'm very open to other ideas on this, but I think that we should assume some
knowledge of metadata, and so the first two sections would be brief.  I
think we need to explain whys and whats and hows of IMS in a little more depth,
but we need to make a decision as to the amount of prior knowledge assumed.

I think we would then make a good, novel contribution if we followed up
Juanita's suggestion for the bulk of document.  I can envisage giving a
description of each element, showing how it has been used in practice, and
one thing I would like to see is "pit-fall avoidance advice". What I'm
thinking of is something like a "see also" bit for each element, so that
people who are thinking of using general.keyword can be referred to
section 9 [classification] where there might be another way of expressing the
information they want to give.  Does that make sense? [Is it correct!?]

Anyway, I would be happy to contribute writing description of some of the
elements. [But someone else should check what I do to make sure that it
is not too technical]

Hope this helps,  Phil.

Jenny Slater wrote:
>
> Dear All,
>
> At the preliminary meeting we discussed the need for an "Idiots guide" to
> the internet which the SIG could produce. Below are some suggested chapter
> and section headings for this guide, based on what was discussed and on
> headings from the Assessment SIG's early draft of their "idiot's guide".
>
> What is metadata?
>
> What is/can metadata be used for?
>
> Why do I need to know about the IMS Meta-data specification?
>
>         - How did this specification come about?
>
>         - How does the IMS Learning Resource Meta-data specification relate to
> other standards and specifications?
>
>         - Where does the IMS Learning Resource Meta-data specification fit in with
> other IMS specifications?
>
> How is the IMS LRM specification developed?
>
> How can I use the IMS Learning Resource Meta-data specification?
>
>         - Why are there three separate documents to the specification and
> what are they for?
>
> I would be very grateful for any input which group members might be able to
> contribute to this guide. Any suggestions on the structure and headings
> would be welcome, and especially offers to contribute material!
>
> Jenny

--
Phil Barker                    Learning Technology Advisor
     ICBL, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS
     Tel: 0131 451 3278    Fax: 0131 451 3283
     web: http://www.icbl.hw.ac.uk/~philb/