Overview - ISO/IEC 12785-1:2009 (Content packaging, Information model)
ISO/IEC 12785-1:2009 specifies the Content Packaging Information Model for exchanging learning, education and training (LET) content between systems. Often referenced as the internationalization of IMS Content Packaging, this standard defines the conceptual model and the data structures used to import, export, aggregate and disaggregate LET packages. It documents the manifest-based approach for describing resources, organizations, metadata and file locations, and it clarifies compatibility with widely used profiles such as SCORM and IMS Content Packaging.
Keywords: ISO/IEC 12785-1, content packaging, learning content packaging, LET content, manifest, package interchange file, IMS Content Packaging, SCORM.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Conceptual model (CPCM): Illustrates the Content Packaging conceptual model and how logical packages are described.
- Manifests and child-manifests: Defines manifests, child-manifests (local or remote), and referenced manifests for hierarchical/compound packages.
- Resources and organizations: Describes how resources (content files, launchable URIs, stand‑alone resources) are bound to organizational structures (items, organizations).
- Metadata support: Specifies where metadata can be attached (manifest, organization, resource, etc.) and allows external referenced metadata files.
- Data constraints: Defines structural relationships, data types, value spaces and permitted number of occurrences for each information object.
- Variant and accessibility support: Adds support for variant resources and alternative resources for accessible content.
- Bindings and conformance: Part 2 provides the XML Schema binding and namespace identifiers; Part 1 defines conformance requirements and control-file concepts (e.g., XML schema as a control file).
- Normative references: Uses common standards for language, country, character sets and identifiers (e.g., ISO 639-2, ISO 3166-1, ISO/IEC 10646, IEEE LOM, relevant IETF RFCs).
- Compatibility: IMS Content Packaging v1.1.4 is a proper subset; semantics are preserved with clarifications.
Applications - practical value
- Exchange and archiving of course modules and reusable learning objects between LMSs, repositories and publishers.
- Packaging course content for distribution (PIFs, removable media, or remote references).
- Enabling interoperability in e‑learning ecosystems (content migration, aggregation, and packaging for SCORM-compatible systems).
- Support for accessibility variants, multilingual titles and external metadata for large-scale deployments (e.g., institutional repositories, national e‑learning services).
Who should use this standard
- LMS and content-authoring tool developers
- Digital repository and content-aggregation architects
- Instructional designers and e‑learning integrators
- Standards and interoperability engineers working with SCORM, IMS and LET content exchanges
Related standards
- IMS Content Packaging (source specification)
- ISO/IEC 12785‑2 (XML Schema binding)
- ISO/IEC 12785‑3 (practices)
- IEEE 1484.12.1 (Learning Object Metadata), ISO 639‑2, ISO 3166‑1, IETF RFCs
This standard is essential when implementing reliable, interoperable learning content packaging and manifest-based content exchange.