Presentation Agenda Introduction Overview of the Transport Layer Respective Responsibilities Overview of Extensible Markup Language (XML) SDS Data Exchange Specification Schedule 1
What Are We Building? A new secure Student Data System that includes... A database that will support the integration of the K- 12 common components and the sharing of data Expansion of Student Tracking function to identify children and youth who are not registered in an approved education program A flexible and timely student record keeping system Enhanced functions to streamline business processes 2
Schools / School Divisions will exchange information by Paper forms (with a sunset strategy to yield cost savings) Online data entry via web pages Electronic file transfer of XML data files (batch) Electronic XML data exchange (real-time) 3
Standard Reports for Schools Online Screens for Schools Online Screens For the Department School Department Standard Reports for the Department New Student Data System Real-time / Electronic File Transfer (Demo, Enrolment, Registration, Final Marks) Paper-based Student Information (Enrolment/Withdrawal, Registration and Marks) Student Data System School Software Nightly Update Real-time / Electronic Data Exchange (Demographics and Final Marks) MIS (Outside Scope) Ad hoc Reports for the Department Report Generator Student Data System Ad hoc Reporting 4
Schools / school divisions will have these self-serve functions... Web XML Generate and retrieve Saskatchewan Learning IDs Enroll, register and withdraw students Mass re-enroll their students Enter & review final marks for students Query graduation requirements (counseling) Enter and review PAA module tracking information Simplified distance learning course registration Ability to establish base school for students Submit electronic data and receive feedback (real-time and batch) Educator Profile 5
Data Communication Client Options Real Time Exchange 1. Direct creation and transmission of XML documents Batch Exchange 1. Using SDS application, browse client network for batch XML file for upload 2. Retrieve results from SDS application 6
Data Communication Standards 1. Transport : HTTPS 2. Method: POST 3. Container:.XML 4. Security: System Authentication and XML-Embedded User Credentials 7
Real-Time Data Communication Model School Software Request Oracle DB View Results ACK Security XML Response ACK School Database Internet / Firewall HTTPS Internet / Firewall Web Server SDS Learning Database XML Request System Credentials Process Results School System Saskatchewan Learning 8
Batch Exchange Data Communication Model School Software Select Data File Oracle DB Security XML User Workstation ACK Internet / Firewall HTTPS Internet / Firewall Web Server SDS Learning Database XML User Batch File Credentials Process Results School System Saskatchewan Learning 9
School / School Division Responsibilities 1. Provide Network and Security configuration information 2. Develop the ability to generate and parse XML documents 3. Develop the ability to initiate a HTTPS connection, send, and receive Authentication Credentials and XML documents 10
Department Responsibilities 1. Review and approve client network and security configurations 2. Authenticate HTTPS connection 3. Accept, validate, and respond to authorized XML requests 4. Ensure Data Security 11
Overview of XML What is XML? Extensible Markup Language Used to facilitate data exchange between partners, using common terminology Looks like HTML, but provides a semantic description of information 12
Example 1 - XML Fragment <name> <first>edward</first> <last>teller</last> </name> 13
Well Formed XML There is only one root element Every starting tag must have a corresponding closing tag XML tags can be nested but must not overlap Element names must obey XML naming conventions 14
Valid XML For a document to be valid, it must be well formed conform to a specification We will use XML Schema (.xsd files) to define the specification 15
Example 2 <endangered_species> <animal> <name language= english >Tiger</name> <name language= latin >panthera tigris</name> </animal> </endangered_species> 16
SDS Data Exchange Specification Message Types Types of Dialogues Examples 17
Message Types Events (new or changed data) Requests for Data Responses to Requests and Events Each message has one or more objects Each object is one business transaction 18
Types of Dialogues Sending student demographic, enrollment and/or class registration data Event - new and/or changed data School Department Response - status of data received; errors; Learning ID Number and birth date for records without Learning ID Number in the original Event 19
Types of Dialogues Sending student marks Event - student marks School Department Response - status of data received; errors 20
Types of Dialogues Quick enrollment Event - quick enrollment Response - status of data received; errors; Learning ID Number and birth date School Department Request - demographic data and/or course history Response - demographic data and/or course history 21
Types of Dialogues Requesting course history for students (e.g. at the end of a term) Request - course history School Department Response - course history 22
School Mark Example <StudentClassMark RefId="1"> <StudentIdentification> <DeptAssignedPersonId>123456789</DeptAssignedPersonId> <BirthDate>1987-10-31</BirthDate> </StudentIdentification> <ClassIdentification> <SchoolId>1234567</SchoolId> <ClassId>MathA30 A</ClassId> <StartDate>2004-02-01</StartDate> <EndDate>2004-06-25</EndDate> </ClassIdentification> <SchoolMarkInfo> <SchoolMark>82</SchoolMark> </SchoolMarkInfo> </StudentClassMark> 23
Summary / Wrap Web resources available: www.sasked.gov.sk.ca\sds\xml Test / validation environment will be available for vendors Business and Technical contact (email): student.records@sasked.gov.sk.ca 24
Vendor Data Exchange Schedule Vendor Questions Sept. 23 - Oct. 31, 2003 Development Nov. 1 - Jan. 15, 2004 Technical Testing Jan. 15 - Mar. 1, 2004 System Testing Mar. 1 - May 1, 2004 Client Validation May 1 - Jun. 30, 2004 Implementation August 2004 25