Answer Geek
QUESTION: Bill Gates stressed the importance of XML at Comdex 2000. What is it, and what does it mean for e-learning?
Like HTML, XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a language that tells a computer how to display information. The main difference between the two languages is that HTML offers a fixed set of standard tags, but XML allows you to define your own tags to label data.
According to Brian Maschhoff, vice president of technology at Seattle-based AdvanceOnline, XML will soon be the standard for how computer systems exchange information, and eventually all e-learning products will incorporate the language. HTML will still be around for a few more years, but smart companies will plan ahead and incorporate XML into their e-learning strategies now in order to be prepared for the future.
What can XML do for you? Its tags tell a computer not just how content is organized, but also what it means. That makes for smarter content, Maschhoff says. You can reuse specific information in a variety of formats without having to do the work to transfer it yourself. Information--in the form of text and multimedia content--becomes the basic building blocks you can organize and reorganize in an infinite number of ways.
That increased flexibility comes with a catch, however. In order to be effective, XML requires a consistent structure for information. Debbie Kenny, director of marketing for Information Mapping, warns that companies attempting to convert existing learning content into XML may run into difficulties when the content isn't organized into discrete information chunks (learning objects) that employ a standard style and document structure. To make sure content is compatible with XML, she says, companies should implement a standard procedure for organizing and presenting information. Each company will structure its content differently, but following these guidelines will ensure consistency within the organization:
- Identify and sort information according to its type--for instance, by topic, audience, or purpose.
- Chunk information into manageable units. Specific, modular units are crucial for a meaningful presentation of information.
- Format documents with style sheets. Consistent formatting will help the computer read the structure of a document.
With the flexibility XML brings to information, Maschhoff asserts, companies can streamline the content development process, make learning more interactive, and use and reuse information over a longer span of time. In addition, XML can help you offer personalized training for every person in your company.
For a more in-depth look at XML, see these Learning Circuits articles:
Published: December 2000