SEM Ecosytem

Note: Legal status of the specifications in this repository

All information in this repository is in concept. No rigths can be claimed based on this information.

Abstract

A typical school uses a broad range of learning materials from several educational publishers or educational platform suppliers. The SEM Ecosystem sets a standard for the exchange of data between all parties that play a key role in the order and access of these (digital) learning materials within schools. Parties involved are amongst others providers of student information systems, learning managemenst systems, distribution and fulfillment, and (digital) learning materials.

Structure of this repository

This repository consists of the following elements:

• Functional and technical documentation is described within a PDF file.
• API files can be found in the Github repository in the reference folder.
• API documentation can be found on stoplight.

This repository is an initiative of the Stichting Samenwerkende Educatieve Marktpartijen (SEM).

Moving from a chain to an ecosystem

Stichting Samenwerkende Educatieve Marktpartijen (SEM) is a foundation where private parties work together. Within a large group of organizations there exists the wish to simply the way all parties work together in order to deliver (digital) learning materials to the end-users within Dutch schools. This was the reason to start an investigation both on CEO as on CTO level how this can be achieved. The investigation resulted in the design of a new technical standard: the SEM ecosystem.

The SEM ecosystem tries to overcome the main challenges in the current learning materials chain (leermiddelenketen in Dutch):

• The current chain is build upon principles of the supply of physical learning materials. Moreover, administrative processes are leading. This leads to issues in the immediate access to digital learning materials.
• There is a large dependency between parties within the current chain. On the other hand is the use of standards and the commitment to industry agreements open-ended. Parties are therefore able to (not) use these standards and agreements without obligation.
• The current chain is too complex for the end-users within schools.
• The technology used within the current chain is end-of-life.

The SEM ecosystem has the following benefits for schools and market parties:

• Flexiblity in the selection of learning materials for schools.
• Possibility to offer new business models for market parties.
• Transparency in transactions and usage information for both schools and market parties.
• Aggregated insight into progress information and results for teachers and students.
• Schools are in control of the data that is exchanged between market parties (consent).

Join the SEM Foundation and adopt the SEM Ecosystem standard

All organisations offering products and/or services to Dutch schools are welcome to join the SEM Foundation and adopt the SEM Ecosystem.

Version history

Contributors

This standard is developed by members from Stichting SEM. The contributors to the SEM Ecosystem standard are: