Ad-hoc composition of distributed learning objects using active XML

As digital content in the form of learning objects allows the assembling of learning material on the fly, developers and users strive to aggregate learning objects from different origins to coherent learning units in a consistent way, including graphical and navigational design. Such content elements that rely in distributed repositories require metadata for advanced search functionality to identify learning objects that fit learner's needs. Furthermore, the content has to fulfil the requirements of a standardized content structure to allow the integration and composition of learning objects to new learning material. In addition, a technology to connect the distributed repositories and exchange metadata and content is needed. In this paper we propose a system for ad-hoc learning object composition. It allows the linking of distributed repositories of learning content management systems (LMCSs), searching, requesting and retrieving learning objects, adapting them to the local LCMS, and finally, integrating the retrieved objects into a new learning material. Thus, our technology is able to query XML encoded metadata of learning objects and to transmit their content within a distributed peer-topeer environment.