IMS Simple Sequencing - Summary

Terms of use
X Terms of use
These contents have been obtained from the IMS web site and edited for presentation. Please refer to the IMS web site for additional information on terms of use.
Print
Introduction
The "IMS Simple Sequencing Specification" defines a method for representing the intended behavior of an authored learning experience such that any learning technology system (LTS) can sequence discrete learning activities in a consistent way. A learning designer or content developer declares the relative order in which elements of content are to be presented to the learner and the conditions under which a piece of content is selected, delivered, or skipped during presentation.

This specification defines the required behaviors and functionality that conforming systems must implement. It incorporates rules that describe the branching or flow of learning activities through content according to the outcomes of a learner's interactions with content. This representation of intended instructional flow may be created manually or with authoring systems that produce output that conforms to this specification. While learning content developers need to know how to create and describe content sequences, authoring systems may hide the details of the models presented in this specification. The representation of sequencing may be interchanged between systems designed to deliver instructional activities to learners. The components of an LTS used to execute the specified rules and behaviors, when content is delivered to a learner, are referred to in this specification as a 'sequencing engine'.

Simple Sequencing recognizes only the role of the learner and does not define sequencing capabilities that utilize or are dependent on other actors, such as instructors, mentors, or peers. This specification does not prohibit usage in contexts involving other actors; however, it does not define the roles of other actors or sequencing behaviors that result from participation of other actors.

Simple Sequencing is labeled as simple because it includes a limited number of widely used sequencing behaviors, not because the specification itself is simple. Simple Sequencing is not all-inclusive. In particular, Simple Sequencing does not address, but does not necessarily preclude, artificial intelligence-based sequencing, schedule-based sequencing, sequencing requiring data from closed external systems and services (e.g., sequencing of embedded simulations), collaborative learning, customized learning, or synchronization between multiple parallel learning activities.
Specification Components
The specification includes the formal definition of a set of Behavior Models and Information Models and describes the Overall Sequencing Process as a combination of those models.
Image for 'Image'
The various steps in the sequencing process
The different defined models are:
  • Sequencing Definition Model - The information model in Simple Sequencing used to describe the desired sequencing behavior.
  • Tracking Model - The information model in Simple Sequencing used to record information about the results of a learner's interactions with activities, and the learner's record for objectives (e.g., completion, measure) to control the selection and sequencing of other activities.
  • Activity State Model - The information model in Simple Sequencing used to record information about the state or status of a learner's interactions with an activity and a set of global attributes for activities.
  • Navigation Behavior Model - The Simple Sequencing process that evaluates a navigation request and determines the sequencing and termination requests that should be processed to identify and deliver content to the learner.
  • Termination Behavior Model - The Simple Sequencing process that evaluates a termination request to end an attempt on an activity.
  • Rollup Behavior Model - The Simple Sequencing process that computes the results data for an activity from the results data from the children of the activity.
  • Selection and Randomization Behavior Model - The Simple Sequencing process that selects and reorders a subset of activities.
  • Sequencing Behavior Model - The Simple Sequencing process that evaluates a sequencing request in terms of the content model described by the activity tree and determines what actual content object should be delivered to the learner.
  • Delivery Behavior Model - The Simple Sequencing process that validates that the learning resources for the identified activity may be delivered, i.e., all of the conditions that apply to the delivery of the content for the activity and attempt still hold.
Comments / Suggestions / Error reporting on this page
Please, choose an item on drop-down menu and write your text
Send