Metadata are descriptive labels that are used to index learning content to make it easier to find and use. Adding metadata to content packages facilitates the sharing and exchange of content by enabling the development of catalogs and inventories. Each field on the Add Metadata screen is based on an IMS metadata element. For more information, see the IMS Learning Resource Metadata Best Practices and Implementation Guide.

This feature is available if your administrator has allowed the export of online learning content and has configured the Add Metadata screen to appear in the designer interface.

Note: This feature is not available if you are using an e-Learning Resource Pack (e-Pack).

Depending on administrator settings, some of the fields described may not appear and some fields may contain default values. If required, you can edit the default values.

Complete the fields as they appear on your Add Metadata screen:

• Complete fields under General
• Complete fields under Life Cycle
• Complete fields under Educational
• Complete fields under Rights

For steps on how to get to the Add Metadata screen, see Exporting Content before proceeding.

To complete the fields under General | Top

1. In the Catalog name text box, enter the name of the catalog in which the learning object is listed, for example, ISBN or ARIADNE.
2. In the Catalog entry text box, enter the learning object's catalog number, for example, LEA0875.
3. In the Language text box, enter the primary human language used within the learning object to communicate to the intended user. Enter the language's two-letter code, as defined by ISO 639. For example, for English, enter en. Tip: For a list of language codes, see Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages.
   • If you want to indicate the area in which the language is used, after the two-letter language code, enter a hyphen (-), followed by the two-letter code of the country, as defined by ISO 3166. For example, to indicate that the French language is used in Canada, enter fr-CA. Tip: For a list of country codes, see English country names and code elements.
4. In the Description text box, enter a description of the learning object.
5. In the Keyword text box, enter a keyword or phrase that describes the learning object.
6. In the Coverage text box, enter the span of such things as time, culture, geography, or region that applies to the learning object, for example, Neolithic or Ming Dynasty.
7. From the Structure drop-down list, select the underlying organizational structure of the learning object.
8. From the Aggregation level drop-down list, select the functional size of the learning object:
   • Level 1 is the smallest level of aggregation, for example, raw media data or fragments.
   • Level 2 indicates a collection of atoms, for example, an HTML document with some embedded pictures or a lesson.
   • Level 3 indicates a collection of level 1 learning objects, for example, a 'web' of HTML documents, with an index page that links the pages together, or a course.
   • Level 4 is the largest level of aggregation, for example, a set of courses that leads to a certificate.
9. Do one of the following:
   • If you need to complete fields in other sections of the screen, go to one of the following:
     • To complete the fields under Life Cycle
     • To complete the fields under Educational
     • To complete the fields under Rights
   • If you have completed all of the fields on the screen, click Continue. The Export Confirmed screen appears. The content is exported, in zip format, to the destination folder you selected. The package file name is provided on the screen.

To complete the fields under Life Cycle | Top

1. From the Status drop-down list, select the editorial state of the learning object.
2. From the Contributor role drop-down list, select the role that affected the state of this learning object during its evolution (including creation, edits, and publication).
3. In the Contributor text box, enter the entity involved, for example, if the Contributor role is Author, enter the author's name. If the Contributor role is Publisher, enter the organization, such as a university department, company, agency, or institute.
4. From the Contribution date drop-down lists, select the date of contribution.
5. Do one of the following:
   • If you need to complete fields in other sections of the screen, go to one of the following:
     • To complete the fields under General
     • To complete the fields under Educational
     • To complete the fields under Rights
   • If you have completed all of the fields on the screen, click Continue. The Export Confirmed screen appears. The content is exported, in zip format, to the destination folder you selected. The package file name is provided on the screen.

To complete the fields under Educational | Top

1. From the Interactivity type drop-down list, select the type of interactivity supported by the learning object:
   • Active means the information flows from the learner to the learning object. Active content, typically used for learning-by-doing, includes simulations, questionnaires, and exercises.
   • Expositive means the information flows from the learning object to the learner. Expositive content, typically used for learning-by-reading, includes essays, video clips, graphical material, and hypertext documents.
2. From the Interactivity level drop-down list, select the level of interactivity between an end user and the learning object.
3. From the Semantic density drop-down list, select the amount of information conveyed by the learning object as compared to its size or duration.
4. From the Intended end-user role drop-down list, select the principal user for which the learning object was designed:
   • An Author creates or publishes learning objects. A typical example of a learning object whose intended end user is an author is an authoring tool for learning content, such as a questionnaire authoring tool, or a pedagogical simulation authoring tool.
   • A Learner works with learning objects in order to learn something.
   • A Manager manages the delivery of the learning object.
5. From the Context drop-down list, select the principal environment within which the learning and use of the learning object is intended to take place.
6. In the Typical age range text box, enter the age of the typical intended user, for example, adults only or suitable for children over 7.
7. From the Difficulty drop-down list, select how hard it is, for the typical target audience, to work through the learning object.
8. Next to Typical learning time, from the Hours and Minutes drop-down lists, select the approximate or typical time it takes to work with this learning object.
9. In the Description text box, enter comments on how this learning object is to be used.
10. In the Language text box, enter the primary human language used by the typical intended user of this learning object. Enter the language's two-letter code, as defined by ISO 639. For example, for English, enter en. Tip: For a list of language codes, see Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages.
    
    • If you want to indicate the area in which the language is used, after the two-letter language code, enter a hyphen (-), followed by the two-letter code of the country, as defined by ISO 3166. For example, to indicate that the French language is used in Canada, enter Fr-CA. Tip: For a list of country codes, see English country names and code elements.
11. Do one of the following:
    • If you need to complete fields in other sections of the screen, go to one of the following:
      • To complete the fields under General
      • To complete the fields under Life Cycle
      • To complete the fields under Rights
    • If you have completed all of the fields on the screen, click Continue. The Export Confirmed screen appears. The content is exported, in zip format, to the destination folder you selected. The package file name is provided on the screen.

To complete the fields under Rights | Top

1. From the Cost drop-down list, select whether use of the learning object requires payment.
2. From the Copyright and other restrictions drop-down list, select whether copyright and other restrictions apply to the use of the learning object.
3. In the Description text box, enter comments on the conditions of use of the learning object.
4. Do one of the following:
   • If you need to complete fields in other sections of the screen, go to one of the following:
     • To complete fields under General
     • To complete fields under Life Cycle
     • To complete fields under Educational
   • If you have completed all of the fields on the screen, click Continue. The Export Confirmed screen appears. The content is exported, in zip format, to the destination folder you selected. The package file name is provided on the screen.