In this paper, Hodgins first describes the need for standards as they are related to maximizing learning technologies, then he raises several key questions driving standardization projects:

• How will we mix and match content from multiple sources?
• How do we develop interchangeable content that can be reused, assembled, and dissembled quickly and easily?
• How do we ensure that we are not trapped by a vendor's proprietary learning technology?
• How do we ensure that your learning technology investments are wise and risk adverse?

Most of the paper is comprised of brief descriptions of those involved with standards initiatives: IEEE Learning Technology Committee, Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL), International Management System (IMS), AICC: The Aviation Industry CBT, PROMETEUS, and the Dublin Core: Metadata for Electronic Resources. Hodgins concludes the paper by emphasizing that an official set of standards is well on its way, and advises savvy, strategic-minded individuals and organizations to familiarize themselves with the "techno-mumbo-jumbo." An action plan is provided.

This is a very accessible paper that focuses on a general explanation of the concepts. A brief explanation is provided about the connection between content objects, meta-data repositories, and discoverability.

For the full text, see http://www.learnativity.com/standards.html

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