Developing a Common Metadata Model for Competencies Description

Competence-based approaches are frequently adopted as the key paradigm in both formal or non-formal education and training. To support the provision of competence-based learning services, it is necessary to be able to maintain a record of an individual’s competences in a persistent and standard way. In this paper, we investigate potential issues related with the definition of a common metadata model for competencies description. This is done by applying the current state-of-the-art specification, IMS Reusable Definition of Competency or Educational Objective(IMSRDCEO), in a real case study, that is,the EuroPass Language Passport. We, then, identify four open issues with the description capabilities of the IMSRDCEO specification, and propose possible extensions to its information model, demonstrating their application in practice.The work on this publication has been sponsored by the TENCompetence Integrated Project that is funded by the European Commission's 6th Framework Programme, priority IST/Technology Enhanced Learning. Contract 027087 [http://www.tencompetence.org