Common Learning Middleware (CLM)

The Common Learning Middleware project is a research project funded by the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft to integrate all teaching/learning technologies of the different Fraunhofer institutes in a common infrastructure. The result is a middleware technology (the CLM) that acts as an innovative and standards-compliant technical intermediate layer that can bring together a variety of different corporate education offerings, virtually all under one roof.

The "Fraunhofer Common Learning Middleware (CLM)" makes it possible to combine different teaching/learning technologies in a common infrastructure.

The Fraunhofer FOKUS is leading the development of the CLM software.

The CLM is based on established, standardized  interfaces and exchange formats, so that synergies can be achieved between the various corporate e-learning technologies and business applications. This applies both to the provisioning of content and services between the company's own locations and to the provisioning of components for third party providers and external licensees.

The CLM uses established standards including Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) and Experience API (xAPI).

Users

  • Providers, manufacturers and operating companies of learning technologies.
  • Providers of learning courses who want a flexible, scalable and open infrastructure to deliver their courses.

Services

  • The CLM is a flexible structure with a middleware solution that can build on existing learning management systems (LMS), but can also be used independently.
  • Web portal solution with Single-Sign-On (SSO) for all learning systems.
    Standardised interoperability between LMS, e-assessment, serious games, authoring tools etc.
  • Scalable, flexible service-oriented architecture.
    Solutions for embedding native applications, e.g. MS Windows programs without LTI support
  • Provision as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) or own hosting.
  • GDPR/DSGVO conformity, guarantee of data processing orders.

Added values

  • EPHESOS web portal solution with Single-Sign-On for one-time registration
  • Compilation and provision of learning content from different learning opportunities. Learning units that are integrated in courses on different learning platforms are compiled in any order to form a new course and offered centrally
  • Can be customized, even by the operator himself
    Open architecture by using established IT standards with a focus on e-learning, including LTI, xAPI, LDAP
  • Integration of own, already existing learning systems

Application scenario

Example

An example for the interaction between a user and a decentralized learning ecosystem:

  1. The user, Ms Heike Learngood, would like to receive further training on data protection and the DSGVO.
  2. Ms Learngood logs on to the CLM portal EPHESOS once with her well-known corporate account.
  3. First the basics are taught in a classical e-learning tool, which is available in an already existing LMS, e.g. ILIAS.
  4. The consolidation of e.g. process sequences is done with the help of a serious game.
  5. Using an e-assessment tool (e.g. in Moodle), Ms Learngood can check her level of knowledge at any time, or she can follow the learning recommendations of adaptive recommendation systems if necessary.
  6. By tracking user actions, certification systems can certify Ms Learngood’s successful completion.

Solution approach

  • CLM and connected systems (e.g. EPHESOS portal, serious game “Spot-X”, search engine “Findoo”) run in a web browser using client-server architecture.
  • Interoperable, semantic LTI search engine "Findoo" for finding learning content across system boundaries.
  • Curator tool for efficient content management and dynamic connection of learning content from different learning systems.
  • Adaptivity-as-a-Service: adaptive assistance and learning systems by creating/ selecting/ providing learning units from different courses at runtime....
  • Native Windows applications such as serious games can be integrated as RemoteApp as LTI tool using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
  • A special LTI-Metadata-Middleware enables the interconnection between Web and MS Windows world.

Partner

  • Fraunhofer Academy
  • Fraunhofer IOSB
  • Fraunhofer FOKUS
  • Fraunhofer FIT
  • Fraunhofer IML
  • Ziemann.IT Software

CLM EPHOS LostEarth

 

Department IAS of Fraunhofer IOSB

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Knowledge Models Research Group

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