ISO/IEC 8808:2026

International
Standard
ISO/IEC 8808
First edition
Information technology for
2026-02
learning, education and training —
Online course information model
Technologies de l'information pour l'apprentissage, l'éducation et
la formation — Modèle d'information pour les cours en ligne
Reference number
© ISO/IEC 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms. 2
5 General elements of online courses . 2
5.1 Online course .2
5.2 Learning activity .3
5.3 Knowledge point .3
5.4 Digital learning resource .3
6 Properties of Online Course. 4
6.1 General .4
6.2 Property specification of course ID .4
6.3 Property specification of course title .4
6.4 Property specification of description .5
6.5 Property specification of objective .5
6.6 Property specification of publisher .6
6.7 Property specification of contributor .6
6.8 Property specification of creator . .7
6.9 Property specification of syllabus .8
6.10 Property specification of program .8
6.11 Property specification of start date .9
6.12 Property specification of end date .9
6.13 Property specification of delivery mode .10
6.14 Property specification of course fee .11
6.15 Property specification of preRequisite.11
6.16 Property specification of announcement . 12
6.17 Property specification of target audience . 12
6.18 Property specification of award . 13
6.19 Property specification of referenceMaterial .14
6.20 Property specification of preview .14
6.21 Constraints on properties of online course . 15
7 Properties of learning activity . 16
7.1 General .16
7.2 Property specification of activity ID.16
7.3 Property specification of activity name .17
7.4 Property specification of Classification .17
7.5 Property specification of description .18
7.6 Property specification of start time .18
7.7 Property specification of end time .19
7.8 Property specification of learning resource link . 20
7.9 Property specification of subdivision . 20
7.10 Property specification of subactivity ID .21
7.11 Constraints on properties of learning activity .21
8 Properties of knowledge points .22
8.1 Property specification of knowledge point ID . 22
8.2 Property specification of knowledge point name . 22
8.3 Property specification of description . 23
8.4 Property specification of relevant learning activity . 23
8.5 Constraints on properties of Knowledge points .24

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
iii
9 Properties of digital learning resource.24
9.1 Property specification of learning resource ID .24
9.2 Property specification of learning resource name . 25
9.3 Property specification of learning description . 25
9.4 Property specification of classification . 26
9.5 Property specification of format .27
9.6 Property specification of learning resource link . 28
9.7 Property specification of relevant knowledge points . 28
9.8 Constraints on properties of digital learning resource . 29
Annex A (informative) General elements of online course .30
Bibliography .31

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
iv
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are
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The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/
IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives or www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs).
ISO and IEC draw attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the
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html. In the IEC, see www.iec.ch/understanding-standards.
This document was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC 36, Information technology for learning, education and training.
Any feedback or questions on this document could be directed to the user’s national standards
body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at http://www.iso.org/members.html and
http://www.iec.ch/national-committees.

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
v
Introduction
The role of online learning within formal education and training has developed considerably since the advent
of the world wide web. During the public health emergencies, this mode of teaching and learning was pivotal
in maintaining continuity of delivery and access. As a result, there is renewed attention on issues associated
with efficiency and interoperability of the systems that support online learning.
The primary purpose of this document is to:
a) provide an information model that identifies opportunities for course interoperability;
b) promote course sharing among different institutions and learning management systems, i.e. course
information sharing and course importation and exportation;
c) specify common elements of an online course for participants and suppliers using ISO/IEC 19788-1:2024
[1]
;
d) enhance user experience of participants and interested parties; and to
e) guide e-learning related suppliers to provide more quality products and services.

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
vi
International Standard ISO/IEC 8808:2026(en)
Information technology for learning, education and
training — Online course information model
1 Scope
This document presents an online course information model, highlighting common elements and
their descriptions. This document also describes online courses. Its purpose is to support conceptual
understanding of online courses and instructional strategies in online education. This model can be
used to inform about the design and development of online courses, and to support migration of online
courses between different platforms under the premise of copyright transfer.
The information model of online courses can be extended based on metadata of learning resource (MLR)
rules.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 4217:2015, Codes for the representation of currencies
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
online course
instructional process that is provided via an online learning platform with a structured learning activities
linked to related digital learning resources, according to certain instructional strategies and learning
outcomes. Relationships of elements of an online course is provided in Figure A.1 of Annex A
Note 1 to entry: An online course (3.1) is a type of learning and education, in a broad sense, it can be seen as learning
[1]
resource (see ISO/IEC 19788-1:2024 , 3.23).
3.2
digital learning resource
digital entity that can be referred to and used for online learning, education and training
Note 1 to entry: Digital learning resources referred to digital files, multimedia materials and other resources related
to online courses.
Note 2 to entry: Evaluation resources include but are not limited to: tests, assignments, quizzes, online examinations,
question bank, etc. Non-evaluation resources include but are not limited to: slides, videos, audio, pictures, digital
books, digital lab, links, etc.
[1]
Note 3 to entry: A digital learning resource (3.2) is a learning resource (see ISO/IEC 19788-1:2024 , 13.3.2) used for
online learning, education and training.

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
3.3
learning activity
task or series of tasks assigned to learners according to instructional objectives
EXAMPLE It could be an arrangement of learning resources and schedules of instructional interactions to realize
the information exchange among learners, learning resources and learning platform.
3.4
knowledge point
label to the minimum unit of learning content (theory, principle and thought)
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms
IRI internationalized resource identifiers
LMS learning management system
MLR metadata of learning resource
5 General elements of online courses
5.1 Online course
The information model of online courses comprises of an online course (see Table 1), learning activities (see
Table 2), knowledge point (see Table 3) and digital learning resources (see Table 4), shown in Figure A.1 of
Annex A.
Table 1 — Class "Online Course"
Resource class specification
Identifier ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001
Canonical Identifier ISO_IEC_8808::RC0001
Label Online Course
Name OnlineCourse
Definition Instances of this class are instructional processes that are enabled in
an online learning platform with a structured learning activity
linked to related digital learning resources, according to certain
instructional strategies and learning outcomes.
Subclass of -
Note(s) -
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
5.2 Learning activity
Table 2 — Class"Learning activity"
Resource class specification
Identifier ISO_IEC_19788-5:::RC0005
Canonical Identifier ISO_IEC_19788-5:::RC0005
Label Learning Activity
Name LearningActivity
Definition For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in
ISO_IEC_19788-5::RC0005 (learning activity) apply.
Subclass of ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001
(Online Course)
Note(s) Learning activity is an important element in online courses, which
can include one or more sub-activities.
5.3 Knowledge point
Table 3 — Class"Knowledge point"
Resource class specification
Identifier ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0003
Canonical Identifier ISO_IEC_8808::RC0003
Label Knowledge Point
Name KnowledgePoint
Definition Instances of this class are entities of knowledge content in an online
course.
Subclass of ISO_IEC_19788-1:2024::RC0001
(Resource)
Note(s) -
5.4 Digital learning resource
Table 4 — Class"Digital learning resource"
Resource class specification
Identifier ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0004
Canonical Identifier ISO_IEC_8808::RC0004
Label Digital Learning Resource
Name DigitalLearningResource
Definition Instances of this class are the entities that can be referred to and
used for online learning, education and training. Digital learning re-
sources refer to digital files, multimedia materials and relevant links.
Subclass of ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001
(Online Course)
ISO_IEC_19788-1:2024::RC0002
(Learning Resource)
Note(s) Digital learning resources are divided into evaluation resources and
non-evaluation resources.
© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
6 Properties of Online Course
6.1 General
The details of an online course should include at least but not limited to: course ID, course title, description,
objective, publisher, contributor, creator, syllabus, program, start date, end date, delivery mode, course fee,
prerequisite, announcement, target audience, award, reference material, and preview.
6.2 Property specification of course ID
Table 5 lists the property specification of course ID.
Table 5 — Property specification of course ID
Property specification
Essential attributes
Identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2:202x::P1000
Canonical identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2::P1000
Label Course ID
Name CourseID
Definition the unique identifier of an online course inside the LMS
Domain ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001
(online course)
Codomain IRI
Linguistic indicator non-linguistic
Content value rules ISO_IEC_19788-1::PRS0005 (IRI) 3986
Non-essential attributes
Refines -
Example(s) -
Note(s) -
Best practice(s) -
Status -
6.3 Property specification of course title
Table 6 lists the property specification of course title.
Table 6 — Property specification of course title
Property specification
Essential attributes
Identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2:202x::P0100
Canonical identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2::P0100
Label Course Title
Name CourseTitle
Definition the title of an online course
Domain ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001
(Online Course)
Codomain literal
Linguistic indicator linguistic
Content value rules ISO_IEC_19788-1::PRS0001 (MLR String)

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Property specification
Non-essential attributes
Refines -
Example(s) -
Note(s) -
Best practice(s) -
Status -
6.4 Property specification of description
Table 7 lists the property specification of description.
Table 7 — Property specification of description
Property specification
Essential attributes
Identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2:202x::P0400
Canonical identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2::P0400
Label Description
Name Description
Definition text information about course content, learning activity
arrangement, the exam requirement, target audience of
the course
Domain ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001
(Online Course)
Codomain literal
Linguistic indicator linguistic
Content value rules ISO_IEC_19788-1::PRS0001 (MLR String)
Non-essential attributes
Refines -
Example(s) -
Note(s) The description is relatively detailed.
Best practice(s) -
Status -
6.5 Property specification of objective
Table 8 lists the property specification of objective.
Table 8 — Property specification of objective
Property specification
Essential attributes
Identifier ISO_IEC_8808:202x::P0104
Canonical identifier ISO_IEC_8808::P0104
Label Objective
Name Objective
Definition describes the teaching goal of this course according to
learning activity arrangement
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Property specification
Domain ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001
(Online Course)
Codomain literal
Linguistic indicator linguistic
Content value rules ISO_IEC_19788-1::PRS0001 (MLR String)
Non-essential attributes
Refines -
Example(s) -
Note(s) Introduction of general course goal.
Best practice(s) -
Status -
6.6 Property specification of publisher
Table 9 lists the property specification of publisher from ISO_IEC_19788-2:202x.
Table 9 — Property specification of publisher
Property specification
Essential attributes
Identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2:202x::P0500
Canonical identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2::P0500
Label Publisher
Name Publisher
Definition Entity responsible for making the information resource
available.
Domain ISO_IEC_19788-1::RC0004(Information Resource)
ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001(Online Course)
Codomain literal
Linguistic indicator linguistic
Content value rules ISO_IEC_19788-1::PRS0001 (MLR STRING)
Non-essential attributes
Refines -
Example(s) British Museum (en)
Note(s) 1. Examples of Publisher include a person, an organi-
zation, or a service. Typically, the name of a Publisher
should be used to identify the entity.
2. A property (P1900) with the same name (publisher),
but with non-literal content value is also provided: see
subclause 6.19.
[2]
3. Is a subproperty of ISO 15836-1:2017 .
Best practice(s) -
Status ISO_IEC_19788-2:2011::DES0600 is deprecated.
6.7 Property specification of contributor
Table 10 lists the property specification of contributor from ISO_IEC_19788-2:202x.

© ISO/IEC 2026 – All rights reserved
Table 10 — Property specification of contributor
Property specification
Essential attributes
Identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2:202x::P0600
Canonical identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2::P0600
Label Contributor
Name Contributor
Definition Entity responsible for making contributions to the infor-
mation resource.
Domain ISO_IEC_19788-1::RC0004(Information Resource)
ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001(Online Course)
Codomain literal
Linguistic indicator linguistic
Content value rules ISO_IEC_19788-1::PRS0001 (MLR STRING)
Non-essential attributes
Refines -
Example(s) John Smith
Note(s) 1. Examples of a Contributor include a person, an organ-
ization, or a service. Typically, the name of a Contributor
should be used to indicate the entity.
2. A property (P2000) with the same name (contributor),
but with non-literal content value is also provided: see
subclause 6.20.
[2]
3. Is a subproperty of ISO 15836-1:2017 .
Best practice(s) -
Status ISO_IEC_19788-2:2011::DES0600 is deprecated.
6.8 Property specification of creator
Table 11 lists the property specification of creator from ISO_IEC_19788-2:202x
Table 11 — Property specification of creator
Property specification
Essential attributes
Identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2:202x::P0200
Canonical identifier ISO_IEC_19788-2::P0200
Label Creator
Name Creator
Definition Entity primarily responsible for making the information
resource.
Domain ISO_IEC_19788-1::RC0004 (Information Resource)
ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001(Online Course)
Codomain literal
Linguistic indicator linguistic
Content value rules ISO_IEC_19788-1::PRS0001 (MLR STRING)
Non-essential attributes
Refines ISO_IEC_19788-2:202x::P0600 (Contributor)
Example(s) John Doe
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Property specification
Note(s) 1. A property (P1600) with the same name (creator),
but with non-literal content value is also provided: see
subclause 6.16.
[2]
2. Is a subproperty of ISO 15836-1:2017 .
Best practice(s) -
Status ISO_IEC_19788-2:2011::DES0200 is deprecated.
6.9 Property specification of syllabus
Table 12 lists the property specification of syllabus.
Table 12 — Property specification of syllabus
Property specification
Essential attributes
Identifier ISO_IEC_8808:202x::P0105
Canonical identifier ISO_IEC_8808::P0105
Label Syllabus
Name Syllabus
Definition outline/teaching plan of the course, showing the teaching
arrangement
Domain ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001
(Online Course)
Codomain literal
Linguistic indicator linguistic
Content value rules ISO_IEC_19788-1::PRS0001 (MLR String)
Non-essential attributes
Refines -
Example(s) -
Note(s) It includes teaching content list, learning activity sched-
ule, knowledge point set, etc.
Best practice(s) -
Status -
6.10 Property specification of program
Table 13 lists the property specification of program.
Table 13 — Property specification of program
Property specification
Essential attributes
Identifier ISO_IEC_8808:202x::P0106
Canonical identifier ISO_IEC_8808::P0106
Label Term/Program
Name Program
Definition a collection of term Id or program Id
Domain ISO_IEC_8808:202x::RC0001
(Online Course)
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