Overview - ISO/IEC 19778-2:2015 (Collaborative environment data model)
ISO/IEC 19778-2:2015 defines a Data Model for a collaborative environment as part of the ISO/IEC 19778 series on collaborative workplace technology for learning, education and training. The standard specifies how to compose collaborative tools and declare their collaborative functions by providing standardized names and references. These names can be linked to further specifications or standards (via a source/value approach) or used with human-readable descriptions when external specifications do not exist. ISO/IEC 19778-2 focuses on the service and infrastructural aspects of collaborative workplace environments rather than the detailed implementation of each tool or function.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Data Model representation and diagrams - a table-based representation and a formal diagram describe the collaborative environment (CE) data structure.
- Data Model Elements (DMEs) - the model identifies aggregating elements (AE) and data elements (DE) such as CE_ID, CE_Name, CE_Description, CE_Tools, CE_Functions, and related source/value fields (e.g., CE_Tools_spec_source, CE_Functions_spec_source).
- Identifier and reference handling - use of identifiers, URIs/URLs and reference fields to link CE instantiations to external specifications or domain contexts.
- Source/value linking - a deliberate mechanism to reference “potential further specifications or standards” (via URL) that define tool or function details, enabling extensibility and incremental harmonization.
- Conformance and normative references - conformance requirements and a normative reference to ISO/IEC 19778-1 (Collaborative workplace data model) are included; detailed tool/function specifications are explicitly excluded and left to other standards or implementers.
- Scope limits - the standard excludes low-level service component harmonization, detailed collaborative effect modelling, and specific integration methods; future editions may extend adaptation to participant preferences.
Practical applications and intended users
ISO/IEC 19778-2 is intended for professionals involved in designing, deploying and managing collaborative learning environments:
- Learning technology architects and system integrators - to model collaborative environments and reference tool/function sets consistently.
- LMS and collaboration platform vendors - to improve interoperability and document supported collaborative services.
- Instructional designers and educational institutions - to specify environments for group learning, training and evaluation.
- Standards developers and procurements teams - to reference harmonized names for collaborative capabilities in specifications and contracts.
Practical uses include defining a CE instance for setup, administration, interoperability testing, and linking to more detailed tool standards as they emerge.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 19778-1 - Collaborative workplace data model (normative reference)
- ISO/IEC 19778-3 - Collaborative group data model
- Developed under ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 36 (Information technology for learning, education and training)
Keywords: ISO/IEC 19778-2:2015, collaborative environment data model, collaborative tools, collaborative functions, collaborative workplace, learning technology, interoperability, data model.