WILMINGTON, DE, May 10, 2012 – The Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) is offering a free Metadata Lab to provide educational resource providers with a clear understanding of existing and emerging education data standards, including the Learning Resource Metadata Initiative (LRMI). The Lab will take place on June 4-5, 2012, during the Content in Context (CIC) conference in Washington, DC. 

The programming is aimed at education industry professionals involved in content management, tagging, or alignment. The agenda begins with an “Education Data Standards Overview,” including presentations by the U.S. Department of Education’s Jack Buckley and Ross Santy. This session will outline a number of existing and emerging standards and their role in tagging and identifying instructional resources.

Next, attendees will learn more about the Learning Resource Metadata Initiative (LRMI), a project led by AEP and Creative Commons to create a standard metadata framework for tagging educational content and products online. This session will cover the project’s background and current status, how it relates to other initiatives including the Learning Registry and Shared Learning Collaborative, and what it means for producers of educational content or resources. 

The Lab will conclude with “An Open Discussion on Education Data Standards,” where attendees can express opinions and concerns about the standards discussed throughout the day, and what AEP can or should be doing to ensure the industry’s needs are being served.

After the structured programming, attendees will have the opportunity to zero in on the standards and strategies most important to their organizations via one-on-one meetings. Attendees interested in meeting one-on-one with strategy consultants can make appointments Monday, June 4^th from 2:30-6 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5^th.

The Metadata Lab is free, but registration is required. Please contact Dave Gladney at dgladney@aepweb.net or 302-295-8348 to find out more or sign up today.

For more information on the Learning Resource Metadata Initiative, please visit lrmi.net.

About the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP)
The only professional organization that serves the diverse needs of the entire educational resource community, the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) encourages and advocates for professional, quality content for teaching and learning. The membership of AEP represents the wide range of individuals, institutions, and businesses dedicated to delivering progressive learning resources in all media and for any educational setting. Founded in 1895, AEP now helps its members navigate the global realities of educational publishing in the 21^st Century.

AEP is at the forefront of the educational publishing industry, leading initiatives that help drive the future of content development and delivery. It has taken a leading role in many efforts supporting the industry, including the Learning Resource Metadata Initiative (LRMI), which is changing the way educational materials are found on the Internet; Innovation Through Inclusion, promoting industry-wide diversity; and representation of educational publishers on matters such as new legislation and funding. Through its events, publications, and recognition programs, AEP works to inform and advance the industry and to define and applaud excellence in the field.

For more information, please visit www.AEPweb.org.

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This year the Content in Context conference (organized by the Association of Education Publishers and the Association of American Publishers School Division) will host a free Metadata Lab centered around educational metadata adoption. The main highlights of the lab:

• Education data standards overview with Jack Buckley (NCES/CEDS), Ross Santy (US DOE), and Michael Jay (Educational Systemics)
• LRMI info session
• Group discussions
• One-on-one meetings

• A project update by Greg Grossmeier (Creative Commons)
• A discussion led by Brandt Redd (Gates Foundation) about LRMI in relation to other initiatives like the Shared Learning Collaborative and Learning Registry
• A demo of LRMI proof of concept by Mark Luetzelschwab (Agilix Labs)

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