Subject Attributes

Strategy Selection Attributes

Use Attributes

Linking Attributes

Management Attributes

C O N T E N T   O B J E C T   A T T R I B U T E S

Attributes are the characteristics of content objects and topics —information about those objects, stored with them in the database.

Content objects are the individual pieces that are combined to produce the learning or performance outcome of the topic. Consequently, the attributes for content objects are of a slightly different nature than those for topics. While topics are focused at a more abstracted level of instructional design or performance support, content objects are more closely tied to the content and its media representation.

All attributes will be searchable by authors and administrators. Learners will not be able to search content object attributes except in special situations such as wizards.

Like those for topics, content object attributes fall into five categories: subject, strategy selection, use, linking, and management attributes.

Attribute		Description		Examples
Subject area		The subject area of the content. Subject areas are predefined (but customizable) values of the system. This could also be a link to a knowledge management system's hierarchy or network.		Management, IT, telecom, soft skills, human resources, arts, agriculture, user-defined
Keywords		Search keywords defined and entered by the creator.		Vacation accruals, 6290 internal schema, camper shell waiver, potassium channel defect

For each combination of attributes, there may be several content object templates to choose from. Strategy selection attributes are also used by topic templates to specify and select appropriate content objects to combine into topics.

While the strategy selection attributes for a topic are at the more abstracted level of instructional or performance support goals, content object strategy selection attributes are more closely tied to the specific nature of the content.

Attribute		Purpose		Examples
Information Type		The type of information that the content object presents.		Fact, concept, process, procedure, rule, structure, classification, user-defined<
>Purpose		The kind of interaction with the end user.		Exposition, activity, test, example, discussion, demonstration, guide, intro, summary, user-defined

Attribute		Description		Examples
Use Conditions		Rules about how content should or may be used.		Western region only, senior managers and above, all new employees, etc.
Duration		Allows user to match content to time available, or to track hours needed for organizational requirements.		15 minutes, 3 hours, 2 weeks, etc.
Context		For integration of performance support. Context specifies under what circumstances this content object should be used.		"Pop-up tip when using MS Word in Outline view and clicking on the button..."

Attribute		Description		Examples
Parent links		Which topics include this content object.		System ID for topic
Component Links		Links to components used in the content object.		System ID for component
History		Who created, edited, or approved the object, on what dates.		System generated values
Template		The template used for this content object.		System ID for template
Relationship		The logical relationship between this content object and others with, for example, the same subject area but different purpose.		Instance of, opposite of, alternate media representation of, example of, non-example of, etc.

Attribute		Description		Examples
Name		To identify this content object to creators and administrators.		F-310 Steps, WatchSAT Features Overview
ID		To identify this topic in the system.		System generated values
Effective date		The date when the content of the object becomes valid.		Date
Expiration date		The date beyond when the content of the object is no longer valid.		Date
Authorization		Who is authorized to edit or delete this content object.		System links to people and organizations
Vendor		The vendor who produced the content object.		Vendor name