Overview
EN ISO/IEC 19788-2:2012 (ISO/IEC 19788-2:2011) defines a base-level metadata element set for describing learning resources by casting the Dublin Core elements into the ISO/IEC 19788 “Metadata for Learning Resources (MLR)” framework. Published by CEN as a European adoption of the ISO/IEC work, this part enables consistent expression of existing Dublin Core records as MLR records, improving interoperability between learning repositories, LMS, digital libraries and discovery services.
Key topics and requirements
- Defines a mapped set of Dublin Core data elements (Title, Creator, Subject, Description, Publisher, Contributor, Date, Type, Format, Identifier, Source, Language, Relation, Coverage, Rights) within the ISO/IEC 19788 data element specification model.
- Uses the framework and attribute rules from ISO/IEC 19788-1 to standardize element identifiers, content values and attributes.
- Specifies resource classes (e.g., “Resource” and “Learning Resource”) to clarify element domains and applicability.
- Introduces predefined rule sets (e.g., MLR String, Date) and normative vocabularies to ensure consistent formatting and values.
- Requires use of related standards for coding and formatting: ISO 15836 (Dublin Core), ISO 8601 (dates/times), ISO 639-2 (language codes), and character set guidance (ISO/IEC 10646).
- Designed to be modular: elements from this part can be combined with other ISO/IEC 19788 parts or external refinements for extensions, modularization or refinement.
Applications
- Harmonizing existing Dublin Core metadata records with the MLR model for federated search, metadata harvesting and repository exchange.
- Building application profiles and cataloguing schemas for educational content (see ISO/IEC 19788-3 for a basic application profile).
- Implementing metadata in digital repositories, institutional LMS, OER portals, learning object stores and library systems to support discovery, evaluation and reuse.
- Enabling automated processes (harvesting, aggregation, search ranking) to interpret learning resource metadata consistently across systems.
Who should use this standard
- Metadata architects, librarians and repository managers who maintain learning resource collections.
- LMS and digital content platform vendors implementing standardized metadata exchange.
- Instructional designers, educational publishers and e-learning integrators who need consistent resource description for discovery and reuse.
- Standards implementers and developers creating application profiles or mapping Dublin Core to MLR.
Related standards
EN ISO/IEC 19788-2:2012 is a practical bridge between Dublin Core and the richer MLR framework, enabling consistent metadata for learning resources across educational and library systems.