Transcript From Single Source to Syndication

From Single Source to
Syndication
Deriving Multiple Course & Output
Formats from an XML Repository
Walter E. Mann and Kay C. Mann
From Single Source to Syndication
Single Sourcing is a method of writing and
organizing text so that it can be stored,
maintained, and used more than once.
• Achieves economy
• Reduces inconsistency
• Promotes collaboration
From Single Source to Syndication
eXtensible Markup Language (XML)
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International standard
Vendor-neutral technology
Widely used and understood
Low-cost tools are available
From Single Source to Syndication
Definitions
Chunks of Text
From Single Source to Syndication
Master Document
Product A
Document
Product B
Document
Product C
Document
Online
Documentation
Online
Documentation
Online
Documentation
Online
Tutorial
Online
Tutorial
Online
Tutorial
Training
Manual
Training
Manual
Training
Manual
Installation
Guide
Installation
Guide
Installation
Guide
Marketing
Brochure
Marketing
Brochure
Marketing
Brochure
Marketing
Web Site
Marketing
Web Site
Marketing
Web Site
From Single Source to Syndication
MUS 1030/FAR220: Music Appreciation
(Required Output Formats)
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Web-based (WebCT) course
ADA-compliant supplemental materials
Classroom supplements (WebCT)
eReading material
Adult-education hybrid course
From Single Source to Syndication
Career Management
Classroom
Web-based
(Asynch)
Inexperienced
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X
Mature
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X
Web-based
(Synch)
College Course
Outplacement
Inexperienced
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X
Mature
X
X
Collegiate
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X
Outplacement
X
X
Facilitator
Ongoing Support & Reference
X
From Single Source to Syndication
Educational Media Associates WEBLOG
(Required Output Formats)
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MERLOT white paper (MS Word)
Online bibliography
Online journal (BLOG)
RSS feed
Future publications (online or paper-based)
From Single Source to Syndication
Lessons Learned
Business Applications vs. Educational Publishing
• Monolithic business documents compared
to “clouds” of educational material
• Gaps in coverage in educational
repository
• Continuous growth and change in
educational resources
From Single Source to Syndication
Lessons Learned
Writing Style for Single Sourcing
• Disjointed fragments not required
• Consistent style, tense, and point of view
• Outside references avoided
From Single Source to Syndication
Lessons Learned
External XML Vocabularies
• Examples:
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SCORM
DocBook
DITA
WordML
RSS
• Targets for output—not for internal use
From Single Source to Syndication
Next Steps
Expanding the Projects
• XML-aware database
(Oracle® 10g)
• Advanced document formatting
(Adobe® FrameMaker)
• Content-management or source-control
software
(XMLSpy, SourceSafe, Documentum)
From Single Source to Syndication
Future Projections
Advantages of Single Sourcing
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Collaboration
Conservation
Consistency
Creativity
From Single Source to Syndication
Contact Information
• http://www.emaExpress.com/blog
• [email protected]
• [email protected]