The Total Learning Architecture (TLA) is a standards-based data architecture designed to support the flow of data through modern learning and training technology ecosystems. Design of the TLA specifications has been led by the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative.

The TLA Study Group is sponsored by the Learning Technology Standards Committee (LTSC) at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

The purpose of the TLA Study Group is to determine whether sufficient interest and resources exist to develop an IEEE draft standard – specifically a draft of an IEEE Standard Guide to the Total Learning Architecture. If the Study Group determines that there were both the interest and resources to pursue, it would develop a draft Project Authorization Request (PAR) for the proposed project.

The scope of this Study Group is to address the following in the form of a comprehensive report submitted to the LTSC:

• Potential market acceptance of the standards project

• Technical feasibility

• Relationship to related standards

• Viable volunteer leadership and participation

• Realistic scope and objectives

• Opportunities to establish new areas of expertise within the LTSC

In order to fulfill those obligations, the TLA Study Group will create a report on the TLA relevant to technical stakeholders, enterprise and business stakeholders, and learning experience and ecosystem designers, scientists, researchers, engineers, developers, architects, and others who would be involved in the implementation of the Total Learning Architecture.

This report will include:

• Background and history on the TLA itself

• Descriptions and explanations of the component IEEE standards comprising both baseline and extended TLA implementations, including:

• IEEE 9274.1.1 (Experience Application Programming Interface “xAPI”) and P9274.2 (xAPI Profiles)

• IEEE 1484.20.3 (Shareable Competency Definitions)

• IEEE P2881 (Learning Metadata)

• IEEE P2997 (Enterprise Learner Records)

Descriptions and explanations of the component software applications, platforms, and systems that support the implementation of the above IEEE standards, including:

• xAPI Learning Record Stores and xAPI Profile Validation Libraries

• Competency Framework and Assertion Systems

• Experience Indexes for Learning Metadata

• Enterprise Learner Record Repositories

Note that the Study Group will evaluate the inclusion and reference of related systems components and processes including 

• methods of validated credentials and learner identification; 

• concerns related to cybersecurity, privacy, and DevSecOps; 

• relationships between the data flow implied by the TLA and the use of data by Adaptive Instructional Systems; 

• other capabilities that leverage artificial intelligence – including methods of intelligent inference, intervention, and recommendation. 

The Study Group will evaluate matters of technical validation, conformance, implementation, and risk management. And the Study Group will evaluate matters of ethical design, stakeholder and organizational maturity, and matters related to open source and the licensing of TLA components.

Regarding governance, the TLA Study Group was approved by the executive committee of the LTSC on 13 December, 2024. The Learning Technology Standards Committee (a committee of the IEEE Computer Society) is the Sponsor of the Study Group. Jim Goodell, LTSC Chair, appointed Shelly Blake-Plock as TLA Study Group Chair, and the project was originally scheduled to run from December 2024 to January 2027. 

The Study Group is managed by the Chair with the support of the LTSC Chair. The Study Group Chair appoints a Secretary and Vice-Chair, and in the role of Editor-in-Chief appoints managing, technical, and section editors.

The TLA Study Group was established as an Individual Study Group – meaning that participants represent themselves and each have an equal vote in the affairs of the group. Participants must have declared their affiliations in order to contribute (i.e. their employer or organization). 

Note that the TLA Study Group abides by the rules of GDPR. Additionally, no meetings will be recorded except for the minutes kept by the Secretary.

Note also that the Study Group follows the antitrust policies established by the IEEE Standards Association (SA). If any participant is aware of any patents or patent claims, they are responsible for seeing that a Letter of Assurance (LOA) is submitted to the Sponsor Chair. Participants refrain from discussion of business arrangements and the like during Study Group meetings.

From the IEEE: “It is expected that participants in the Study Group behave in a professional manner at all times. Participants should demonstrate respect and courtesy towards each other, while allowing everyone a fair and equal opportunity to contribute to the meeting in accordance with the IEEE Code of Ethics.

Participants in Individual Study Groups shall act based on their personal qualifications and experience. For individual Study Groups, the Sponsor should determine if there will be sufficient participation to ensure a viable study group.”

“If voting may be necessary, then it is up to the Sponsor to determine the minimum number of individuals that must participate in any Individual Study Group vote for it to be valid, and the approval percentage required for passage. For all Individual Study Groups, it is recommended that at least 5 individuals participate in any vote for it to be valid, and that each vote is approved by a 75% approval vote of those present and voting either ‘approve’ or ‘disapprove’. 

Any individual attending an Individual Study Group meeting may vote on all motions (including recommending approval of a draft PAR). The Individual Study Group may meet via teleconference as needed, provided a clear indication of participants is given at the start of the teleconference to determine a voting percentage. Electronic voting may be used by the individual study group, provided that a defined term for conducting the vote is given. Only votes received during this time period from participants who have attended either a previous meeting or teleconference will be counted in the tally of votes.”

Following the Sponsor’s rules, eligibility to participate in a vote requires attendance of at least two of the prior four Study Group Community Calls. Participants are asked to confirm attendance on the roll call that precedes each monthly Community Call.

Upon completion of the work of the Study Group, leadership will provide the Sponsor with:

• The Study Group report

• A complete roster of Study Group participants

• Minutes of meetings

If the Study Group has concluded that a PAR be submitted, it will provide a draft version to the Sponsor. Accompanying this draft PAR will be any relevant information concerning intellectual property, recommendations for liaisons with other organizations, a draft project schedule, and a draft budget.