The DITA Learning and Training specialization applies DITA principles and best practices for using topic-based and modular content to plan, develop, and deliver learning and training content.
The reusable learning objects, or RLO, approach to learning content derives from the pioneering work of learning content designers at several companies, including Autodesk®, Oracle®, and Cisco®. Author Peder Jacobsen defines an RLO as "a discrete reusable collection of content used to present and support a single learning objective." With this approach, it is possible to gather a pool of information objects and make them available for reuse and repurposing in a variety of learning delivery contexts.
There is a strong affinity between the DITA topic-based, modular approach to content in general, and the learning objects approach to learning content in particular.
Working assumptions about learning content and how to support authoring and delivering it with DITA include the following:
Figure 2-14 Learning objects and specialized DITA learning and training topic types
This figure shows the composition of learning objects as a) instructional objects, b) information objects, and c) the specialized DITA topic types to support them.
In this approach, a learning object comprises a "discrete reusable collection of content used to present and support a single learning objective," and consists of two primary information components:
Figure 2-15 Learning content design, authoring, and delivery through DITA specialization
This picture shows the end-to-end process for designing, authoring, and delivering specialized learning content with DITA.
In this approach, a learning content developer: