The multitude of JISC circulars and in particular the Technical Framework to Support E-Learning that Derek Morrison refers to in his article E-Learning: challenges to the neo-conservative model? are worth reading, especially if you're a developer considering developing any tools or applications that could work within this framework. But … I think the Technical Framework proposes a worthwhile architecture for the future of e-learning systems. However, as this is still a very new initiative, I'm a little concerned how a developer of any tool or application (User Agent in the Technical Framework) is actually going to produce the deliverables if the underlying services don't yet exist.
According to the JISC website there are presently 8 projects being funded under the Framework and Tools Strand of the e-Learning programme and I think there's some great work going on. These projects, however, are only working on a few of the many Common and Application services proposed in the Framework.
I think Scott Wilson's comment on Derek's article provides essential information on the key perspectives underlying development of these other services.
For those developers keen to develop their applications to take advantage of these web services, it seems they will have to wait a little longer until the services present 'vapourware' status solidifies into something a little more concrete. Nevertheless, if the JISC initiative delivers then there's a lot to be gained.
