About The Knowledge Base

What’s New

The XCRI Knowledge Base was revamped in September 2011, in response to a JISC-funded review of the XCRI Self-assessment Framework and supporting materials, as a first step in JISC’s Course Data Programme. Changes were also made to the XCRI Self-assessment Framework.

The main changes to this Knowledge Base were as follows:

  • An overhaul of the home page and principal navigation routes, making it easier for users to find relevant information.
  • Addition of articles relating to the Key Information Set (KIS) initiative and the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) initiative and their connection to XCRI.
  • Review and amendment of the business case and institutional implementation articles to reflect more recent experience.
  • More links to recent information.
  • Brief abstracts for the Case Studies, so users can gauge usefulness before reading the entire study.
  • Improved search and news facilities.

About the XCRI Knowledge Base

The XCRI Knowledge Base was created in response to requests from educational institutions to JISC for a single source of information on XCRI—the information model and schema recommended by the national Information Standards Board in January 2009 as the UK eProspectus standard.

It builds on the work of the JISC Centre for Educational Technology and Interoperability Standards (CETIS) team, who introduced XCRI to technical staff in educational institutions, particularly those concerned with standards. The XCRI Knowledge Base also provides non-technical staff with guidance on the benefits of XCRI at policy and managerial levels, along with technical advice on its implementation. It links to the XCRI Self-assessment Framework, a self-assessment tool for use by staff in HEIs and FECs, and the XCRI development wiki and discussion forum.

The Knowledge Base was developed through funding from JISC’s Benefits Realisation fund in 2010, drawing on the expertise of XCRI originators, developers, and implementers. It involved a wide range of educational organizations across the UK, including individual institutions, consortia, and course collection and publishing organizations. The content reflects the experience and knowledge gained through XCRI’s development, workshops, eSeminars, and dialogue with stakeholders.

Feedback on the XCRI Knowledge Base is welcomed to help enhance its effectiveness. Please email the XCRI Knowledge Base editor.

XCRI Knowledge Base Team

  • Erica Jones: Director, Liverpool City of Learning. Led the creation and delivery of the XCRI-based CPD Noticeboard. Project Manager for the XCRI Knowledge Base.
  • Alan Paull: Information management consultant at APS Ltd, member of the original XCRI development team. Works with education providers on XCRI implementation.
  • Kirstie Coolin: eBusiness Analyst for the University of Nottingham. Works with institutions in the East Midlands to develop XCRI exports and imports.
  • Joanne Charlesworth: Information, Advice, and Guidance Manager at West Yorkshire Lifelong Learning Network, based at the University of Huddersfield. Leads XCRI awareness and implementation in the region.
  • Scott Wilson: Assistant Director at CETIS, University of Bolton. Lead technical contributor to the XCRI project.
  • Richard Entwistle: InGenius Solutions Ltd. Constructed the XCRI Self-assessment Framework.
  • Stuart Wood: Former Applications Developer at the University of Nottingham. Assisted in the development of XCRI exports and imports.
  • Ruth Drysdale: JISC contact, eLearning Programme Manager for Institutional Innovation in Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development.

Outsourcing Model

UML Activity Diagram for Outsourcing Model

  • Number of courses: Any
  • Complexity of provision: Any
  • Number of sources: Any (aggregation carried out by HEI or agency)
  • Quality of authoring: Reasonable quality unless the agency is directly involved in sub-editing.
  • Data structures: Moderately well-defined, unless handled by the agency.
  • Update frequency: Depends on service levels between the agency and HEI.
  • Audit trail: A mechanism for indicating updated records is required for automated services.
  • Centralisation: The agency acts as a centralization mechanism.
  • Process capability: Outsourced to the agency, requiring only a basic level at the HEI.
  • Technical capability: Outsourced to the agency.
  • Organizational context: Any, as long as there’s agreement to pay the agency.
  • Resources: Small, focusing on contract management and payment of the agency.

Example: The Open University

The Open University sub-contracts its data aggregation to APS Ltd, which consolidates course advertising data for the university’s website. The data is transformed into XCRI format for further distribution to third-party organizations.

Last Updated: Wednesday, 14 September 2011, 13:58