How is visual documentation (e.g., diagrams, illustrations) created and managed in education using DITA?

November 10, 2023
|By Bryan Tipper

In the education sector, creating and managing visual documentation, such as diagrams and illustrations, using DITA offers an efficient way to enhance the learning experience. Visual content is crucial for conveying complex information and concepts. Here’s how DITA facilitates the creation and management of visual documentation:

Topic-Based Approach

DITA allows for a topic-based approach to content creation. Visual documentation can be managed as individual topics or embedded within larger educational materials. Each visual element, like a diagram explaining a scientific concept or an illustration in a history lesson, can be a standalone DITA topic. This approach makes it easy to create, update, and reuse visual content without altering the entire educational resource.

Metadata and Relationships

Visual documentation in DITA can include metadata, such as descriptions, sources, and keywords, making it searchable and contextually rich. Additionally, DITA supports relationships between topics, enabling educators to link visual content with textual explanations. For example, a diagram can be linked to a corresponding lesson topic. When updates are needed, educators can focus on specific visual elements, ensuring accuracy and relevance while leaving the rest of the content intact.

Example:

Here’s an example of how DITA can manage visual documentation in education:


<topic id="biology-diagram">
  <title>Biology Diagram: Photosynthesis</title>
  <metadata>
    <description>An illustration explaining the process of photosynthesis.</description>
    <source>Scientific Journal, 2020</source>
    <keywords>biology, photosynthesis, illustration</keywords>
  </metadata>
  <content>...
  <related-topics>
    <link href="biology-lesson-2" type="lesson"></link>
  </related-topics>

In this example, a DITA topic represents a biology diagram. It includes metadata describing the content, its source, and keywords. It is related to a specific biology lesson topic. When updates or improvements are needed for the diagram, educators can focus on this individual DITA topic.