Last week, Vikas Joshi shared his thoughts on opportunities inherent in crowdsourced learning
content. This week we talk to Maheshkumar Kharade, a technology
expert, to follow up on the previous post.
Q.
How are tracking systems keeping pace with the opportunities inherent in crowdsourced
learning content?
[Maheshkumar] Due to its multidimensional nature,
crowdsourcing apparently brings in multiple challenges and opportunities for
tracking systems, content creation and content delivery platforms.
I think development of TinCan API specification is on
the lines of supporting crowdsourcing requirements. Its activity based tracking
model enables LRS (Learning Record Store) to record almost any user action.
Recent advancements and usage spike in MOOC paradigm
in education is another major step in creation of online platforms for crowdsourced
learning content. Though these steps have helped gain some momentum, it’s not yet
enough.
Q.
What needs to be done?
[Maheshkumar] We are getting to the goal in pieces
like enriched tracking specifications, delivery mechanism, etc. In my opinion,
content creation should be at the center stage of crowdsourcing, other
challenges would revolve around it. The key is to provide an ability to create
semantically structured content through proper community collaboration. It will
enable maximum reuse and re-purposing. Social networking has to be given equal
consideration.
Video content adds lots of value to learning
experience, but we have to look for ways to enrich it further using crowd
sourcing. Imagine what can be done if we have both TinCan API and MOOC together
on a single platform. This combination
will enhance current MOOC based learning experience i.e. set of sequential
video lectures to next level by means of collaborated learning. Currently, multiple
dimensions of crowdsourcing are different stand alone systems; we need better
interoperability.
Q.
How can the industry encourage platform vendors to support a common structure?
[Maheshkumar] The focus right now is on an individual
aspect of crowdsourcing which is tracking systems; it needs to be widened. Also,
solving problems in proprietary ways will limit overall outcome, so equal
importance should be given to developing a standards based approach while
addressing any aspect of crowdsourcing. Interoperability amongst multiple systems
holds the key to successful crowdsourced learning.
We would love to hear from our readers in the
e-learning industry if they are familiar with any work in this direction.
