Adding Metadata to the Learning Design

IMS or IEEE Metadata can be added at various points in the Learning Design. Wherever you see a "Metadata" button indicates where you can attach a Metadata file that may describe a description or resource file, for example. It is best to edit the Metadata in a dedicated Metadata editing tool and save as a standalone xml file in the "metadata" folder of the LD's project folder. A basic Metadata Editor is provided in the Reload Metadata and Content Packaging Editor.


The Metadata button for an Environment

To add Metadata to your Learning Design, proceed as follows:

  1. Create the standalone Metadata file in your separate Metadata editor ensuring that the correct Namespace and schema locations are declared in the Metadata's root element ("lom").

  2. Save the Metadata file (for example, "metadata123.xml") in the "metadata" folder of your Learning Design's project folder.

  3. In the Learning Design Editor, click on the "Metadata" button where you wish to attach the Metadata file.

  4. In the dialog box that appears, type in the schema name and version. Then click on the "..." button to navigate to the Metadata file in the "metadata" folder. Note that any Metadata files must be in or below the "metadata" folder of the Learning Design's project folder.

  5. Click OK. Your Learning Design now references the Metadata file you created earlier.

You can view or edit this file in the LD Editor's simple text editor (or an external editor if one is specified in Preferences) at any time by clicking on the "Metadata" button and then clicking the "Edit" button in the dialog.

When you perform the final export of your Learning Design, any standalone Metadata files that your LD references are embedded automatically into the outputted imsmanifest.xml file.

Please note that any local files have to be in the LD Project's "metadata" folder or sub-folder. Thus, the path that you see in the Resource field is relative to the "metadata" folder. If you enter an absolute file path the editor will not be able to find the file when it comes to package it in the Export stage.