6.4 Data Model Task Force

Click here for non-normative background/supplementary documentation from this group.

6.4.1 SIF_Metadata

Metadata is commonly referred to as data about data and includes information such as author, grade level, or keywords relating to a learning object, as examples. Metadata can be used to structure and contain any of this kind of information in a consistent manner. In the context of SIF, SIF_Metadata provides a consistent structure to appropriate SIF objects for the purpose of cataloging and object discovery, as well as other metadata functions and purposes. One recurring use case within the SIF data model is the requirement for some form of temporal constraints and tagging on objects (see TimeElement). Other metadata elements are based on needs brought to the Data Model Task Force.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON PERSISTENCE

This data is not designed to be permanent. It is designed to frame an object instance and could dissolve as soon as it leaves the SIF framework for the application space. A data warehouse could be used to store metadata for later tracking.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON USAGE

Any usage of metadata is optional unless made a requirement within individual SIF objects, or if a SIF or local profile or zone installation mandates it. SIF_Metadata allows for the usage of metadata in agents and applications that choose to support it.

This element is designed to operate much like SIF_ExtendedElements. It is an approved common element that is part of any data object.

SIF_Metadata
Figure 6.4.1-1: SIF_Metadata SIF_Metadata TimeElements TimeElement LifeCycle RightsElements RightsElement EducationFilter
 Element/@AttributeCharDescriptionType
 SIF_Metadata 

A commonly defined container for metadata elements defined within SIF.

 
 
 TimeElementsO List
 TimeElements/TimeElementOR TimeElement
 LifeCycleO LifeCycle
 RightsElementsO List
 RightsElements/RightsElement
     
OR RightsElement
 EducationFilterO EducationFilter
Table 6.4.1-1: SIF_Metadata
<SIF_Metadata> <TimeElements> <TimeElement> <Type>Full school year</Type> <Code>01</Code> <Name>2004/2005 School Year</Name> <Value>2004-2005</Value> <StartDateTime>2004-09-01T08:00:00-05:00</StartDateTime> <EndDateTime>2005-06-30T15:00:00-05:00</EndDateTime> <SpanGaps> <SpanGap> <Type>Holiday</Type> <Code>02</Code> <Name>2005 Winter Break</Name> <Value>2005 Winter Break</Value> <StartDateTime>2005-02-21T15:00:00-05:00</StartDateTime> <EndDateTime>2005-02-25T08:00:00-05:00</EndDateTime> </SpanGap> </SpanGaps> <IsCurrent>true</IsCurrent> </TimeElement> </TimeElements> </SIF_Metadata>
Example 6.4.1-1: SIF_Metadata

6.4.2 TimeElement

A common metadata element designed to contain time data, both self-defined and by type.

TimeElement
Figure 6.4.2-1: TimeElement TimeElement Type Code Name Value StartDateTime EndDateTime SpanGaps SpanGap Type Code Name Value StartDateTime EndDateTime IsCurrent
 Element/@AttributeCharDescriptionType
 TimeElement 

A common metadata element designed to contain time data, both self-defined and by type.

 
 
 TypeM

This element is designed to contain the time period attached to an object. Very long periods (school year, quarter, etc.) and very small periods (second, millisecond, etc.) can be defined. This element provides a scoping description of the time metadata enclosed.

Because the educational environment varies so greatly we are including here a suggested but not prescriptive list of values. Although there may be unique needs for values not covered here—and we may have missed a major one—a best practice would be to utilize the examples here to enhance interoperability.

Examples
Full school year
Mini-term
Long session
Other
Semester
Trimester
Quarter
Spring Vacation
Summer Term
Intercession
Holiday

xs:normalizedString
 CodeM This element provides a place for the application to send structured data (code values, unique identifier, timestamps). This code value can, depending upon the use case agreement between agents, be used to qualify the data in the Value element.

Examples
2007SY
2006.FallConferences

xs:token
 NameM Contains a human-readable description of the value in Value.

Examples
Class of '07
Fall 2007 Parent-Teacher Conferences

xs:normalizedString
 ValueMContains the human-readable value.

Examples
2007
Evening of 10/12/06

xs:normalizedString
 StartDateTimeO xs:dateTime
 EndDateTimeO xs:dateTime
 SpanGapsOA container element for holding multiple possible span gaps. List
 SpanGaps/SpanGapOR This structure duplicates much of the structure of TimeElement and is designed to represent a gap in the parent time period defined by StartDateTime and EndDateTime above.   
 SpanGaps/SpanGap/TypeM xs:normalizedString
 SpanGaps/SpanGap/CodeM xs:token
 SpanGaps/SpanGap/NameM xs:normalizedString
 SpanGaps/SpanGap/ValueM xs:normalizedString
 SpanGaps/SpanGap/StartDateTime
     
O xs:dateTime
 SpanGaps/SpanGap/EndDateTime
     
O xs:dateTime
 IsCurrentM This element allows for the system to tag an object as being explicitly current. Although the baseline assumption in SIF is that objects are always current (default value is typically true), there are use cases when that is not the case.  xs:boolean
Table 6.4.2-1: TimeElement
<TimeElement> <Type>Full school year</Type> <Code>01</Code> <Name>2004/2005 School Year</Name> <Value>2004-2005</Value> <StartDateTime>2004-09-01T08:00:00-05:00</StartDateTime> <EndDateTime>2005-06-30T15:00:00-05:00</EndDateTime> <SpanGaps> <SpanGap> <Type>Holiday</Type> <Code>02</Code> <Name>2005 Winter Break</Name> <Value>2005 Winter Break</Value> <StartDateTime>2005-02-21T15:00:00-05:00</StartDateTime> <EndDateTime>2005-02-25T08:00:00-05:00</EndDateTime> </SpanGap> </SpanGaps> <IsCurrent>true</IsCurrent> </TimeElement>
Example 6.4.2-1: TimeElement

6.4.3 LifeCycle

This common metadata element describes the life cycle of the object it represents, based on the IEEE LOM LifeCycle element [LOM].

LifeCycle
Figure 6.4.3-1: LifeCycle LifeCycle Created DateTime Creators Creator Name ID ModificationHistory Modified By DateTime Description TimeElements TimeElement
 Element/@AttributeCharDescriptionType
 LifeCycle 

This common metadata element describes the life cycle of the object it represents, based on the IEEE LOM LifeCycle element [LOM].

 
 
 CreatedO When the object was created by whom. This is a more persistent creation date than the date/time in the object's SIF_Header. Depending on the use case being implemented, this value could contain the date the data in the object first entered the zone or was actually created.   
 Created/DateTimeM xs:dateTime
 Created/CreatorsO List
 Created/Creators/CreatorMR  
 Created/Creators/Creator/
     Name
M Human-readable name of the data's creator. If the object contains system-generated data, the name should identify the creating service or application.  xs:normalizedString
 Created/Creators/Creator/
     ID
MUnique identifier of the creator. An email address or URI could be used here. xs:normalizedString
 ModificationHistoryO An ordered set of Modified elements describing which system modified the data, when the modification took place, and a brief description of the modification.  List
 ModificationHistory/Modified
     
ORA single modification event.  
 ModificationHistory/Modified/
     By
MIdentifier of the system or person that modified the data. xs:normalizedString
 ModificationHistory/Modified/
     DateTime
MThe date/time the modification occurred. xs:dateTime
 ModificationHistory/Modified/
     Description
OHuman readable description of the data modifications. xs:string
 TimeElementsO List
 TimeElements/TimeElementOR TimeElement
Table 6.4.3-1: LifeCycle
<LifeCycle> <Created> <DateTime>2006-08-13T09:00:00-05:00</DateTime> <Creators> <Creator> <Name>Alphonse Berdonosi</Name> <ID>http://www.edugeeks.com/aberdonosi</ID> </Creator> </Creators> </Created> <ModificationHistory> <Modified> <By>http://www.edugeeks.com/aberdonosi</By> <DateTime>2006-08-17T09:30:00-05:00</DateTime> </Modified> </ModificationHistory> </LifeCycle>
Example 6.4.3-1: LifeCycle

6.4.4 RightsElement

A common metadata element designed to carry any intellectual property or copyright information, based on the IEEE LOM Rights element [LOM].

RightsElement
Figure 6.4.4-1: RightsElement RightsElement Cost FeesForUse FeeForUse UseType MeteringType MeteringURL PerUseCharge CopyrightStatement TermsOfUse
 Element/@AttributeCharDescriptionType
 RightsElement 

A common metadata element designed to carry any intellectual property or copyright information, based on the IEEE LOM Rights element [LOM].

 
 
 CostO xs:boolean
 FeesForUseOA container for fees for use of the content in the object. List
 FeesForUse/FeeForUseORDescription of one fee structure applying to the use of this resource.  
 FeesForUse/FeeForUse/UseType
     
M A description of the fee structure for this resource. Some resources may be licensed differently depending upon their context. For example, a content provider might charge one fee structure for resources used in the classroom and a separate fee for those resources available to parents from home.  xs:string
 FeesForUse/FeeForUse/MeteringType
     
M xs:token
 FeesForUse/FeeForUse/MeteringURL
     
O xs:anyURI
 FeesForUse/FeeForUse/PerUseCharge
     
O MonetaryAmountType
 CopyrightStatementO xs:string
 TermsOfUseO xs:string
Table 6.4.4-1: RightsElement
<RightsElement> <Cost>true</Cost> <FeesForUse> <FeeForUse> <UseType>UseType</UseType> <MeteringType>MeteringType</MeteringType> <MeteringURL>http://www.xmlspy.com</MeteringURL> <PerUseCharge Currency="USD">1.00</PerUseCharge> </FeeForUse> </FeesForUse> <CopyrightStatement>CopyrightStatement</CopyrightStatement> <TermsOfUse>TermsOfUse</TermsOfUse> </RightsElement>
Example 6.4.4-1: RightsElement

6.4.5 EducationFilter

Based on feedback from publishers, instructional management and system integrator vendors, EducationFilter was developed to provide the ability to tag objects with metadata that allows for categorization, sorting, and filtering, to empower teaching and learning SIF usage. There exist two main business cases:

The use cases for EducationFilter require a contract and choreography to be understood between both sides of the transaction as is the case with all SIF_Metadata.

EducationFilter
Figure 6.4.5-1: EducationFilter EducationFilter MediaTypes MediaType GradeLevels SubjectAreas SubjectArea InterestLevels InterestLevel LearningStandardItems LearningStandardItemRefId BloomsTaxonomyLevels BloomsTaxonomyLevel MultipleIntelligences MultipleIntelligence InstructionalStrategies InstructionalStrategy
 Element/@AttributeCharDescriptionType
 EducationFilter   
 MediaTypesOAllows an object or query to be tagged with MIME types. List
 MediaTypes/MediaTypeMR xs:token
 GradeLevelsOApplicable grade levels as defined by SIF. GradeLevels
 SubjectAreasOThis allows subject areas to be associated with an object or query. Although there could be overlap with LearningStandardItems, it is anticipated there will be use cases where LearningStandardItem objects may not exist or may not be available, and data may need to be tagged with high-level subject areas. List
 SubjectAreas/SubjectAreaMR SubjectArea
 InterestLevelsOInterestLevels is designed to represent the grade level for which the content is created. For example a tenth grader is at a third grade level in Algebra. You would want to present the content at a third grade level, but in a tenth grade context or interest level. List
 InterestLevels/InterestLevel
     
MR GradeLevel
 LearningStandardItemsOAllows any SIF object to be correlated to learning standards. List
 LearningStandardItems/LearningStandardItemRefId
     
MR IdRefType
 BloomsTaxonomyLevelsO

This is a taxonomy of educational objectives based on three "domains:" Affective, Psychomotor, and Cognitive. For the purposes of assigning attributes to learning resources, the SIF specification is limited to the cognitive domain, including knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

 
List
 BloomsTaxonomyLevels/BloomsTaxonomyLevel
     
OR values:
Knowledge
Comprehension
Application
Analysis
Synthesis
Evaluation
 MultipleIntelligencesO

An educational theory that describes at least eight different kinds of "intelligences." These include linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical intelligence, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalist.

 
List
 MultipleIntelligences/MultipleIntelligence
     
OR values:
Linguistic
Logical-Mathematical
Spatial
Musical
Bodily-Kinesthetic
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Naturalist
 InstructionalStrategiesO

The various ways that instruction is delivered to achieve learning objectives and concepts.

 
List
 InstructionalStrategies/InstructionalStrategy
     
OR values:
Lecture
Online
Discussion
Cooperative Group
Scenario
Demonstration/Lab
Self-study
Problem-Based Learning
Project
Other
Table 6.4.5-1: EducationFilter
<EducationFilter> <MediaTypes> <MediaType>x-application/pdf</MediaType> </MediaTypes> <GradeLevels> <GradeLevel> <Code>10</Code> </GradeLevel> </GradeLevels> <SubjectAreas> <SubjectArea> <Code>02</Code> <OtherCodeList> <OtherCode Codeset="Text">Algebra and Geometry</OtherCode> </OtherCodeList> </SubjectArea> </SubjectAreas> <InterestLevels> <InterestLevel> <Code>03</Code> </InterestLevel> </InterestLevels> <LearningStandardItems> <LearningStandardItemRefId>502070339FA347B5B123BEF68D118332</LearningStandardItemRefId> </LearningStandardItems> <BloomsTaxonomyLevels> <BloomsTaxonomyLevel>Analysis</BloomsTaxonomyLevel> </BloomsTaxonomyLevels> <MultipleIntelligences> <MultipleIntelligence>Logical-Mathematical</MultipleIntelligence> </MultipleIntelligences> <InstructionalStrategies> <InstructionalStrategy>Self-study</InstructionalStrategy> </InstructionalStrategies> </EducationFilter>
Example 6.4.5-1: EducationFilter

6.4.6 SEAInfo

This object is designed to facilitate the transfer of State Education Agency (SEA) directory information to the Department of Education (USED) through the Education Data Exchange Network (EDEN).

SIF_Events are not reported for this object.

Click here for non-normative background/supplementary documentation on this object.

SEAInfo
Figure 6.4.6-1: SEAInfo SEAInfo RefId LocalId NCESId SEAName SEAURL CSSOContact SEAContactList SEAContact PublishInDirectory ContactInfo PhoneNumberList AddressList OperationalStatus EDENInfo FIPSStateCode AgencyIdNumber SIF_Metadata SIF_ExtendedElements
 Element/@AttributeCharDescriptionType
 SEAInfo 

This object is designed to facilitate the transfer of State Education Agency (SEA) directory information to the Department of Education (USED) through the Education Data Exchange Network (EDEN).

 
 
@
key
RefIdM

The GUID of the SEA whose information this is.

 
RefIdType
 LocalIdO

The locally-assigned identifier for this SEA.

 
LocalId
 NCESIdO

The NCES-assigned identifier for this SEA.

 
NCESId
 SEANameM

The full legally accepted name of the SEA.

 
xs:normalizedString
 SEAURLO

URL for the SEA.

 
xs:anyURI
 CSSOContactMChief State School Officer contact information. ContactInfo
 SEAContactListOInformation on contact persons for this SEA. List
 SEAContactList/SEAContact
     
MRContainer element for SEA contact information.  
 SEAContactList/SEAContact/
     PublishInDirectory
OIndicates whether or not this SEA contact's information should be published in a directory of SEA information. PublishInDirectory
 SEAContactList/SEAContact/
     ContactInfo
MContact information for a person at the SEA. ContactInfo
 PhoneNumberListOThe SEA's phone number(s). PhoneNumberList
 AddressListOThe SEA's address(es). AddressList
 OperationalStatusOOperational condition of an SEA. OperationalStatus
 EDENInfoOContainer element for EDEN-specific information.  
 EDENInfo/FIPSStateCodeOThe two-digit Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Code for the State, District of Columbia, and the possessions and freely associated areas of the United States (e.g. Puerto Rico). xs:token
xs:pattern[0-9]{2}|[A-Z]{2}
 EDENInfo/AgencyIdNumberOA number used in EDEN to uniquely uniquely identify state agencies. xs:normalizedString
 SIF_MetadataO SIF_Metadata
 SIF_ExtendedElementsO SIF_ExtendedElements
Table 6.4.6-1: SEAInfo
<SEAInfo RefId="D3E34B359D75101A8C3D00AA001A1652"> <SEAName>Illinois State Board of Education</SEAName> <SEAURL>http://www.isbe.net</SEAURL> <CSSOContact> <Name Type="08"> <LastName>Geisel</LastName> <FirstName>Theodore</FirstName> </Name> <PositionTitle>Superintendent</PositionTitle> <EmailList> <Email Type="Primary">drseuss@isbe.net</Email> </EmailList> <PhoneNumberList> <PhoneNumber Type="0096"> <Number>(312) 555-0102</Number> </PhoneNumber> </PhoneNumberList> </CSSOContact> <PhoneNumberList> <PhoneNumber Type="0096"> <Number>5555551234</Number> </PhoneNumber> </PhoneNumberList> <AddressList> <Address Type="0123"> <Street> <Line1>1 IBM Plaza</Line1> <Line2>Suite 2000</Line2> <StreetNumber>1</StreetNumber> <StreetName>IBM</StreetName> <StreetType>Plaza</StreetType> <ApartmentType>Suite</ApartmentType> <ApartmentNumber>2000</ApartmentNumber> </Street> <City>Chicago</City> <StateProvince>IL</StateProvince> <Country>US</Country> <PostalCode>60611</PostalCode> </Address> </AddressList> <EDENInfo> <FIPSStateCode>99</FIPSStateCode> <AgencyIdNumber>01</AgencyIdNumber> </EDENInfo> </SEAInfo>
Example 6.4.6-1: SEAInfo

6.4.7 StudentLEARelationship

The purpose of the StudentLEARelationship object is to represent the current information available regarding a single student's relationship/affiliation to a single LEA for a specific school year as of the time a SIF_Event or SIF_Response is generated by the system of record. This object is not designed to operate on a historical/longitudinal basis in the default context.

StudentLEARelationship instances must not span multiple school years.

Only one instance of the StudentLEARelationship object with MembershipType=Home may exist for a specific time interval between EntryDate and ExitDate (inclusive) for a given student, LEA, and school year.

Multiple instances of the StudentLEARelationship object with MembershipType=Concurrent may exist for a specific time interval between EntryDate and ExitDate (inclusive) for a given student, LEA, and school year.

Multiple instances of StudentLEARelationship will occur for specific or overlapping time intervals if a student has affiliations with multiple LEA's. This will most likely be detected during aggregate data collection from multiple LEA's. Since StudentLEARelationship/@RefId and StudentLEARelationship/@StudentPersonalRefId are zone-specific, external mechanisms (e.g. student locator) would be required to correlate multiple instances of a single student affiliating with multiple LEA's.

SIF_Events are reported for this object.

StudentLEARelationship
Figure 6.4.7-1: StudentLEARelationship StudentLEARelationship RefId StudentPersonalRefId LEAInfoRefId SchoolYear MembershipType LEARelationshipType EntryDate EntryType Code OtherCodeList ExitDate ExitType Code OtherCodeList ExitStatus Code OtherCodeList NonResidentAttendReason GradeLevel SIF_Metadata SIF_ExtendedElements
 Element/@AttributeCharDescriptionType
 StudentLEARelationship 

The purpose of the StudentLEARelationship object is to represent the current information available regarding a single student's relationship/affiliation to a single LEA for a specific school year as of the time a SIF_Event or SIF_Response is generated by the system of record. This object is not designed to operate on a historical/longitudinal basis in the default context.

StudentLEARelationship instances must not span multiple school years.

Only one instance of the StudentLEARelationship object with MembershipType=Home may exist for a specific time interval between EntryDate and ExitDate (inclusive) for a given student, LEA, and school year.

Multiple instances of the StudentLEARelationship object with MembershipType=Concurrent may exist for a specific time interval between EntryDate and ExitDate (inclusive) for a given student, LEA, and school year.

Multiple instances of StudentLEARelationship will occur for specific or overlapping time intervals if a student has affiliations with multiple LEA's. This will most likely be detected during aggregate data collection from multiple LEA's. Since StudentLEARelationship/@RefId and StudentLEARelationship/@StudentPersonalRefId are zone-specific, external mechanisms (e.g. student locator) would be required to correlate multiple instances of a single student affiliating with multiple LEA's.

 
 
@
key
RefIdM

The unique identifier for a particular affiliation between a student and a LEA.

 
RefIdType
@StudentPersonalRefIdM

The SIF RefId of the StudentPersonal object to which this instance of StudentLEARelationship refers.

 
IdRefType
@LEAInfoRefIdM

The SIF RefId of the LEAInfo object to which this instance of StudentLEARelationship refers.

 
IdRefType
@SchoolYearM

Contains the SIF school year to which this instance of StudentLEARelationship applies. StudentLEARelationship must not span multiple school years.

 
SchoolYear
 MembershipTypeM

The type of this affiliation as it relates to the LEA identified in LEAInfoRefId.

 
values:
Home
The LEA is responsible for reporting the student's membership/child accounting information.
Concurrent
The LEA is not the primary reporting unit for the student's membership/child accounting information.
Summer
A summer school enrollment, not part of the regular school year.
 LEARelationshipTypeM

An instance of the OrganizationRelationshipType common element that describes the details of the student's affiliation with the LEA.

 
OrganizationRelationshipType
 EntryDateM

The date from when this affiliation is valid.

 
xs:date
 EntryTypeO  
 EntryType/CodeM

Code indicating the type of entry for this affiliation.

 
NCES0619EntryTypeType
 EntryType/OtherCodeListO OtherCodeList
 ExitDateC

The last school calendar day (membership day) the student was affiliated with the LEA (inclusive).

The conditional characteristic of this element is defined such that if the student has exited the LEA, then ExitDate must have a value.

 
xs:date
 ExitTypeO  
 ExitType/CodeM

Code indicating the type of exit for this affiliation.

 
NCES0644ExitWithdrawalTypeType
 ExitType/OtherCodeListO OtherCodeList
 ExitStatusO  
 ExitStatus/CodeM

Code indicating the exit status for this affiliation.

 
NCES0643ExitWithdrawalStatusType
 ExitStatus/OtherCodeListO OtherCodeList
 NonResidentAttendReasonC

Indicates the reason that the student has an affiliation with this LEA if the student is a not a resident of the LEA.

The conditional characteristic of this element is defined such that if the LEA participating in this affiliation is outside of the student's usual attendance area, as indicated in the LEARelationshipType/ResidencyStatus element, then this element must be reported.

 
NCES0599NonResidentAttendanceRationaleType
 GradeLevelO

The grade or academic level of the student.

 
GradeLevel
 SIF_MetadataO SIF_Metadata
 SIF_ExtendedElementsO SIF_ExtendedElements
Table 6.4.7-1: StudentLEARelationship
<StudentLEARelationship RefId="98C3D3224B35AA75101D00AA201B1652" StudentPersonalRefId="D3E34B359D75101A8C3D00AA001A1652" LEAInfoRefId="D3E34B359D7511AA223D00AA001A165A" SchoolYear="2007"> <MembershipType>Home</MembershipType> <LEARelationshipType> <ResidencyStatus> <Code>1652</Code> </ResidencyStatus> <ProvidingInstruction>true</ProvidingInstruction> <ProvidingServices>true</ProvidingServices> <FinanciallyResponsible>true</FinanciallyResponsible> </LEARelationshipType> <EntryDate>2007-08-15</EntryDate> <EntryType> <Code>1838</Code> </EntryType> <GradeLevel> <Code>10</Code> </GradeLevel> </StudentLEARelationship>
Example 6.4.7-1: StudentLEARelationship

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