Frequently asked questions
Click on one of the links below to move to that FAQ.
What is a keyword search?
What is the advanced search?
What is metadata?
How do I search by AQF level?
What do the licence types mean?
How do I search by discipline?
How do I search by competency code?
How do I preview a learning object?
How do I download a learning object?
Do I need to join LORN to download learning objects?
Can I upload my own learning objects?
What is SCORM?
How can I participate in LORN?
What is a Keyword Search?
The Keyword Search function searches the commonly used metadata fields of each learning object in the selected repositories. The keyword search will return a positive match for all objects that contain the search term as part of the title, description or competency. This means you can actually use the keyword search to search by competency code.
Note: that the keyword search does not search through every page or activity in the learning object for matches,
which helps limit the number of false matches.
What is the advanced search?
The Advanced Search option allows you to limit your search to specific metadata fields such as competency or discipline. This is particularly
useful when you know the competency code and want to access only those learning objects written specifically for that competency.
Like the basic search, the advanced search does not search through every page or activity in the learning object for matches,
which helps limit the number of false matches.
What is metadata?
Metadata is often described as 'data about data', and reflects the kind of information found in a traditional library catalogue.
Metadata is used to provide information about a resource that does not necessarily need to be displayed within the content
itself. In the context of learning resources, it is structured information about a print or digital resource describing the
resource itself, as well as aspects such as its creation and administration, copyright conditions and technical features (eg
size, format).
LORN uses a special version of metadata, known as vetadata, which provides a consistent approach to describing educational resources within the Australian VET sector. Each learning
object in LORN is described using a number of different vetadata fields that relate to specific properties of the learning
object, such as description and competency code.
How do I search by AQF level?
You can search for learning objects targeting a specific Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level by typing a search term in the
Keyword Search box and then selecting the appropriate level from the educational (AQF) level ‘pull down’ list and
then selecting the Find button.
Alternatively, you can select only the AQF level from the 'pull down’ list and select the
Find button to see a listing of all learning objects designed for that AQF level.
What do the licence types mean?
LORN currently allows you to search for learning objects with one of the following four license types:
Free for Education: Material described as being 'Free for Education' may be freely used and copied - but not supplied to the public. Scope of
licence is limited to educational purposes. See http://www.aesharenet.com.au/FfE2/ for more information.
Share and
Return: The material covered by this licence may be used and enhanced by anyone free of charge but copyright in published enhancements
consolidates with the original owner. See http://www.aesharenet.com.au/S4/ for more information.
Preserve Integrity: The material under this licence may be freely copied but only in its original form including the owner's copyright notice.
See http://www.aesharenet.com.au/P4/ for more information
Unlocked Content: Material described as 'Unlocked Content' may be freely used, copied, adapted and distributed. Limited warranty. Enhancements
not attributed to copyright owner. See http://www.aesharenet.com.au/U4/ for more information.
How do I search by discipline?
LORN uses vetadata to describe learning objects that align to particular industry areas and industry groupings using the MyFuture Industry Classification
Scheme (second level terms).
You can search for learning objects that align to particular industry area by typing the industry area in the
Keyword Search, box and then selecting Find my keyword 'in the discipline field (MyFuture industry codes)' then selecting the Find button.
An alphabetical listing of the MyFuture industry codes can be found on the MyFuture website.
How do I search by competency code?
LORN uses vetadata to describe learning objects that address a specific training package, qualification, unit of competency or nationally recognised
course as specified by the National Training Information Service (NTIS).
You can search for learning objects that address specific competency codes by entering either the title of the competency
or the competency code in the Keyword Search box and then selecting Find my keyword 'in the Competency field (all of comptency codes)' and then selecting the Find button.
A full listing of the NTIS codes is available on the NTIS website.
How do I preview a learning object?
You can preview a learning object on the web by clicking on the 'title' of the learning object in the search results. This
will take you to the learning object home page where you will find links that allow you to preview and/or download the learning
object.
For more information see the section Previewing a learning object on the LORN Tutorial page.
How do I download a learning object?
You can download a learning object on the web by clicking on the 'title' of the learning object in the search results. This
will take you to the learning object home page where you will find links that allow you to preview and/or download the learning
object.
For more information, see the section Downloading a learning object on the LORN Tutorial page.
Do I need to join LORN to download learning objects?
No, there is no membership requirement to download learning objects using LORN.
If you are an organisation with your own repository or have a collection of learning objects you would like to make available
on LORN, then click on the About page for more information on the LORN Project and how to become involved.
Can I upload my own learning objects?
If you would like to make your resources available through LORN you should contact one of the
LORN member repositories from your jurisdiction.
If your organisation is not affiliated with the above state jurisdictions or are a private registered training organisation (RTO),
please refer
What is SCORM?
The Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a 'reference model' - a set of guidelines on how to use other standards
in a particular context. It consists of a collection of specifications adapted from multiple sources. These have been refined
and integrated and provide a comprehensive suite of e-learning capabilities that enable interoperability, accessibility and
reusability of web-based learning content.
How can I participate in LORN?
Membership to LORN is open to organisations who are actively involved in the Australian education community, such as registered
training organisations. Network members must meet the following principles of cooperation:
-
commitment to working with other members - in a spirit of cooperation
-
commitment to adhering to national and international standards - such as IMS content packaging and vetadata
- agreement to adhere to a minimum set of business and technical specifications.
Members of VLORN and their roles are defined as follows:
-
Repository Service Provider (RSP) - manages a repository of learning objects and provides services to enable discovery, sample,
view and download learning objects.
- Consumer Access Provider (CAP) - provides access to search/discovery services.
Becoming a Repository Service Provider (RSP)
If your organisation currently manages or maintains a repository of learning resources, and you would like these resources
to be available via LORN then you are advised to join LORN as a Repository Service Provider (RSP).
The LORN Participation Charter sets out the principles and the basis on which RSPs will cooperate with each other. Some parts
of the Charter are legally binding between each LORN member.
It is therefore important that all persons wishing to become LORN members carefully read and understand the LORN Participation
Charter.
For more information on becoming a LORN member please contact lorn@flexiblelearning.net.au
Becoming a Consumer Access Provider (CAP)
If you would like to become a Consumer Access Provider (CAP) and allow your staff or students to be able to access LORN from your institutional website,
then contact lorn@flexiblelearning.net.au