andrew.evans

At the SIFA Quarterly Meeting in March the POC team demonstrated Learner Data being moved from MIS to MIS (Vertical interoperability), MIS to LP (Horizontal Interoperability). They we moving Learner records from system to system but I'm not sure of the specific data objects they were moving. The data model was being developed during the POC. (BTW I’m not involved the POC just monitoring its progress so if you need a detailed response e-mail [email protected]). It is worth noting that the hard work with SIF is getting the infrastructure right (agent and ZIS communication). Once you have that setup then SIF has SO much potential (POC2 in NI/C2K will be using SIF to move assessment data). The only negative to come out of the SIFA meeting was that the agent communication wasn’t event driven (live) data but a scheduled job. As for the data objects that must be supported by an MIS you should monitor the Certification Working Group (it's a closed community for SIFA members but I'm sure Nick Barron or someone at Becta or SIFA would share this information as it becomes available). I sat in on a working group meeting and they were talking about application profiles of the data model for MIS and Learning Platforms, which would outline the mandatory requirements (this is certainly an extension of the current SIF certification). Its early days and they need to firm up these “ideas” but they seem to be making good progress. Becta are planning to release a report of the POC at the end of the month so look out for that. I posted about the SIFA meeting a while back on my blog, check out http://www.andrewswork.com/2007/03/quick-catch-up-sifa-uk-meeting.html for more (of the same).

Can you give us a little more information on how this discussion over Shibb went? With the UK Access Federation kicking off I thought Shibb would continue to be adopted. Capita are certainly involved (they are on the SIFA UK Board). Also... The Schools Interoperability Framework UK specification 1.0 has been released for Public review over a 30-day period. SIFA UK are inviting their members and non-members to feedback on the specification which has been in development since the start of the Birmingham proof of concept.