Table of Contents
1. Introduction
The purpose of this document is to provide an overview of the Curriki Education Experience (C2E) specification, the Curriki Platform, and the associated service.
To propose a change to the C2E Spec, see the explanation at C2E Community Process (coming soon)
| Version | Date | Description of Change |
|---|---|---|
|
1.0 |
2/16/2024 |
Initial Release
|
2. Overview
Curriki has defined a specification to make it easy for both premium and open content to be used in creating incredible educational experiences that can be paid, portable, and protected.
- Paid: Authors can get paid for their work by listing their experiences in a store. Media owners can get paid royalties because a C2E tracks usage in real-time and can facilitate payment.
- Portable: A C2E can be played by an authorized user anywhere on any device,
- Protected: A C2E and all of the associated content are protected against unauthorized use. Usage is tracked and able to be shared across teh ecosystem.
The diagram below provides an overview of the major components and personas associated with creating, distributing, and experiencing Curriki Educational Experiences.
The table below provides a description of each persona in the Curriki Ecosystem
| Persona | Description | Who cares About... |
|---|---|---|
|
Learner |
Experiences interactive content in the pursuit of learning. |
Engaged, inspirational learning experiences |
|
Educator / Curator |
Uses existing C2E’s. Modifies them and creates a lesson |
Having engaging content for the learners in their class, organization, or offer. |
|
Author / Creator |
Creates individual activities and learning experiences |
Creating engaging content and making it available to the masses |
|
Buyer - Organization |
Company, University, State, District, or School providing training and/or courses to their constituents |
Providing effective and engaging options for instruction. |
|
Online Store |
A for-profit or non-profit organization that sells online goods and services |
Increasing revenues and market share, differentiating product |
The table below provides a description of each service.
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
|
Authoring Services |
Authoring Services provide the ability to create an interactive experience using the media catalog and other assets. These interactive experiences can be published as C2Es. |
|
Store Services |
Store Services can integrate with an online store’s API to create listings and validate payment methods for listed items. |
|
Publishing Services |
Publishing services can convert an interactive experience into a C2E. This makes it possible to list the experience in a store for sale or directly in a learning management system. Once published, the C2E will be protected against unauthorized access and will provide usage and performance analytics to the appropriate members of the ecosystem. |
|
Media Catalog Services |
The Media Catalog services work with streaming platforms and other media owners to make their content available to creators of C2E’s. The service provides an API that |
|
Analytics Services |
One of the key advantages of the Connected Education Experience is the fact that all participants in the ecosystem are able to receive feedback on the usage and effectiveness of their content. Each role has the ability to get rich analytics on the usage and performance of their data while also not compromising any privacy. |
|
Player Services |
Player Services are required to render any C2E. It validates the license/payment method for any C2E based on the identity of the user or in the case of a district learning management system, the provided credential from the LMS. |
Each of these services is discussed in more detail below.
3. Authoring Services
Authoring Services provide the ability to create an interactive experience using the media catalog and other assets. These interactive experiences can be published as C2Es. The key features of the authoring services are described in more detail below.
3.1 Ability to create a C2E from CurrikiStudio (ePub, Video, Image)
This is the first step in leveraging CurrikiStudio workflow to create C2E’s. An Author can use a custom Interactive Book activity in CurrikiStudio to publish a Curriki Educational Experience either to a store or directly to a C2E Player. This is part of the initial reference implementation.
3.2 Ability to create a C2E using video clips from a video streaming partner
An Author can choose from a variety of videos to create their experience. The author will be able to select specific portions of the video to use a clip in their experience. They can then add interactions on top of the clip. The initial reference implementation will support a streaming provider that uses the Brightcove video platform. Additional streaming platforms will be added as the project proceeds.
3.3 Ability to choose different media types from a Media Library
An Author can choose from a variety of media types to create their experience. The author will be able to use a Natural language search to find videos and other digital content. They can then add interactions on top of the clip. Capabilities beyond video will start to be introduced in the reference implementation in June The search capabilities will continue to be enhanced throughout the project.
3.4 Ability to create a C2E From CurrikiStudio V2 (all activity types)
Authors can use all of the activities that are part of the CurrikiStudio in creating C2Es. These capabilities will be expanded starting in the June release and will continue to be coordinated as capabilities are incorporated into the platform.
3.5 Ability to add interactives to an existing C2E
In addition to using the media library as a source for creating C2Es, Authors can also use other C2Es as a starting point in the creation of the experiences. This capability is in the current backlog.
3.6 Ability to use CurrikiStudio for C2E Authoring & Publishing Services as a unified experience
Authors can have a seamless experience whether they are creating interactives using open content for their school or trying to include premium content. The CurrikiStudio reference implementation user interface will be combined with the authoring and publishing services of C2E. The Curriki team is identifying opportunities to consolidate the services and leverage the new service-oriented architecture (SOA). The goal is to simplify the overall architecture and provide all Curriki Technology as a single platform with an open specification. The initial release is planned for June 2024 with continuing work ongoing through subsequent releases.
3.7 Ability to use an AI Prompt to build the outline of a C2E
Authors will be able to use an AI bot to build an outline for an experience. The Author can then use the outline to find relevant content in the media library or build custom content to create the experience. This capability is planned for June 2024.
3.8 Ability to automatically generate a C2E via an AI Prompt
Authors can choose to have the AI bot create actual interactives or specific quizzes based on provided data. This capability is currently in our backlog.
3.9 Additional Media Platform Support (Unity, 3D models, etc.)
An Author can choose from different media platforms. This is a placeholder to indicate that we expect new media types to become available and will be building out capabilities with this in mind. These capabilities are in the backlog.
4. Store Services
Store Services can integrate with an online store’s API to create listings and validate payment methods for listed items. The key features of the authoring services are described in more detail below.
4.1 Ability to list a C2E for sale (WooCommerce)
Authors can list their C2Es to a chosen store to be purchased by interested organizations/members. This capacity is part of the initial reference implementation.
4.2 Ability to generate a valid payment Method/License for a C2E
Authors who have listed their C2Es can enable a method of payment on the Store side to receive any funds from transactions made after listing in a store. This capacity will be part of the initial reference implementation.
4.3 Ability to validate a license /Payment Method
Stores that have enabled C2Es to be listed with a valid payment method can validate interested parties’ payment method and issue a valid license for consumption of a C2E. This capacity will be part of the initial reference implementation.
4.4 Support licensing for derivative works and royalties
Stores that have enabled C2Es to be listed for sale will contain a mechanism to support the licensing of royalties for media or derivative work engaged inside these C2Es. This feature will be available as part of the June release.
4.5 Expand Payment Partners and Types
Stores that have enabled C2Es to be listed for sale will expand their capability to accept different payment partners and types to attract a wider audience. Actual Payment processing is outside the scope of the initial reference implementation. This feature is in the backlog and will be worked on when additional payment partners are identified.
4.6 Ability to support other store platforms
Capacity to support additional/various stores to list C2Es as per author’s needs. The initial reference implementation only includes the WooCommerce store. Additional store configurations will be implemented as opportunities are identified.
5. Publishing Services
Publishing services can convert a set of content into a C2E that can be listed in a store or published directly to a learning management system. Once the content is converted to a C2E, it is protected against unauthorized access and provides usage and performance analytics to the appropriate members of the ecosystem.
5.1 Ability to publish a protected C2E to an LMS Using LTI Advantage
Authorized Organizations/Educators can access their purchased C2Es through an LMS using LTI Advantage. This feature is part of the reference implementation
5.2 Ability to publish a protected C2E to Google Classroom
Authorized Organizations/Educators can access their purchased C2Es through Google Classroom. This feature will be available as part of June release.
5.3 Ability to publish a protected C2E to Microsoft Teams
Authorized Organizations/Educators can access their purchased C2Es through Microsoft Teams. This feature will be available as part of June release.
6. Media Catalog Services
The Media Catalog services work with streaming platforms and other media owners to make their content available to creators of C2Es. The service provides an API that media owners can use to connect their content to the Media catalog. The Media Catalog is a federated search tool that allows users to find the desired content. The catalog will contain textual information, images, and videos.
Below is an example
The table below provides a description of each persona in the Curriki Ecosystem
6.1 Ability to configure streaming providers to create clips using Brightcove video services
Administrators of a C2E Authoring platform can configure Media Owners streaming using the Brightcove platform to make their content available to Authors. Once configured authoring using the platform can access the video clips when creating experiences. All copyrights and royalties are carried forward when publishing a C2E. This feature is part of the initial reference implementation.
6.2 Ability to configure streaming providers to create clips using Youtube video services
Authors will be able to create content with media from Youtube video clips inside their experience. This feature will be available as part of June release
6.3 Ability to configure streaming providers to create clips using Kaltura video services
Authors will be able to create experiences with media from Kaltura video clips inside their content. This capacity will be available for use by the end of June.
6.4 Ability to configure Royalty terms
Authors will be able to use content that requires the payment of royalties when used in a C2E. Media owners can determine the cost of each item based on usage over time. When an author selects a royalty-based item to use in a C2E, the cost is accounted for when listing it in a store. When a C2E is bought and then played, the player captures usage data that is fed back to the author and media owner to determine payment of royalties. The data is available in a near real-time fashion. Teh initial release of the reference implementation has captured metadata to support this process.
6.5 Ability to search across providers for videos to add to a C2E (Simple + NLS)
Authors will have the convenience of natural language search of teh media catalog which can gain more contextual information by analyzing the questions (queries) being asked. Authors can ask questions about any subject and get content related to their query. They can continue to refine their query to get better results. This feature is in the backlog and will be prioritized in a future release.
6.6 Ability to get recommendations based on previous usage (Recommendation Engine)
While searching media catalogs, the system can recommend media based on the previously selected items, items selected by their peers, and popular items from users with similar profiles. This feature is in the backlog and has not yet been prioritized.
6.7 Ability to support additional streaming platforms and Media
Authors will be able to use other streaming media platforms beyond video. For example image or audio streaming services. The ability to find and server ePubs will be available in the June release. Other media servers will be prioritized for release as they are identified.
7. Player Services
A certified C2E Player is required to render a C2E. A C2E Player calls the player Services to validate the license/payment method based on the identity of the user or in the case of a district learning management system, the provided credential from the LMS.
Below is an example of the C2E player inside the Canvas LMS.
7.1 Ability to render a protected C2E inside an LMS using LTI
A learner or teacher can view and interact with a C2E published in an LMS that supports LTI Advantage 1.3. The player authenticates the user via LTI and then ensures there is a valid payment method or license for the viewer when they try to open a C2E. If there is no valid license or payment method, the C2E will not render.
7.2 Ability to capture grades and student work in LMS using LTI Advantage
When learners interact with a C2E, the Player Service captures their interactions, auto-scores scoreable items, and sends grades back to the LMS using the LTI Advantage 1.3 specification. This is part of the initial reference implementation.
7.3 Ability to render a protected C2E Inside Google Classroom
A learner or teacher can view and interact with a C2E published in Google Classroom.The player authenticates the user via the Google Classroom API and then ensures there is a valid payment method or license for the viewer when they try to open a C2E. If there is no valid license or payment method, the C2E will not render. This feature will be available in June 2024.
7.4 Ability to capture grades and student work in Google Classroom
When learners interact with a C2E, the Player Service captures their interactions, auto-scores scoreable items, and sends grades back to Google Classroom using the Google Classroom API. This feature will be available in June 2024.
7.5 Ability to render a protected C2E Inside Microsoft Teams
A learner or teacher can view and interact with a C2E published in Microsoft Teams. The player authenticates the user via the Microsoft Teams API and then ensures there is a valid payment method or license for the viewer when they try to open a C2E. If there is no valid license or payment method, the C2E will not render. This feature will be available in June 2024.
7.6 Ability to capture grades and student work in Microsoft Teams
When learners interact with a C2E, the Player Service captures their interactions, auto-scores scoreable items, and sends grades back to Microsoft Teams using the Microsoft Teams API. This feature will be available in June 2024.
7.7 Ability to get recommendations of C2Es based on previous usage (Recommendation Engine)
Teachers can browse or search their authorized C2Es inside the LMS. While searching for C2Es, the player can recommend other C2Es based on the previously selected C2Es, C2Es selected by their peers, and popular C2Es from users with similar profiles. This feature is in the backlog and has not yet been prioritized.
7.8 Ability to Find and Purchase from within the Player
Educators will be able to find content and purchase access inside the Player along with the traditional approach of purchasing content via stores. This feature is in the backlog and has not yet been prioritized.
7.9 Support Additional Platforms (Mobile App)
Learners can purchase and access content directly from an application without the need for an LMS. Learners will be able to access C2Es using a mobile application. This feature is in the backlog and has not yet been prioritized.
8. Analytics
One of the key advantages of a C2E is the fact that all participants in the ecosystem are able to receive feedback on the usage and effectiveness of their content. Each role has the ability to get rich analytics on the usage and performance of their data while also not compromising any privacy. C2E leverages the open specification xAPI and any compatible Learning Record Store to capture all user interactions. The xAPI data are used to monitor consumption as well as individual performance. Further information on the xAPi specification can be found on github at https://github.com/adlnet/xAPI-Spec.
8.1 Ability to Track Usage by Learners
C2E authors, publishers, and buyers can track usage patterns by learners from a smart dashboard containing visuals and a summary of data. The data are captured in a learning record store and can be accessed with a business intelligence tool established by the C2E provider. This feature is available in the reference implementation in a Learning Record Store..
8.2 Ability to track learner performance data anonymously and via an organization's LMS
Organizations and teachers can track learners’ performance anonymously and/or through a configured LMS to understand the impact of content on performance. This capability is available in the reference implementation. Below is an example of the type of reports that can be made available to districts or teachers via their LMS.
8.3 Ability to track licensed C2Es by buyers
Authors and publishers can track content licensed to sell and learn about usage patterns. This capability is available in the reference implementation. The analytics will continue to be improved and expanded throughout the project’s life.
8.4 Ability to track Media usage By Learners, Organizations, Stores, and Authors
Media Owners can track media usage to understand the kinds of media used by authors inside C2Es. This capability is available in the reference implementation. The analytics will continue to be improved and expanded throughout the life of the project.
8.5 Ability for a student to capture work in a Student Portfolio
Learners/Students can create and maintain portfolios to store their work enabling access to all such stored content in a convenient and centralized manner. This concept is in the early stages and in the backlog. It has not yet been prioritized.
9. Summary
The above specification represents a robust set of functionality that provides value to all of the members of teh C2E Ecosystem. We are excited get grow the members of the ecosystem and expand on the functionality in the reference implementation as we learn more from our participants.
The charts below provide a summary of when features will be available in the reference implementation.
