Commentary on: Chapter2: The Learning Design Specification (Olivier and Tattersall, 2005) Abstract: IMS Learning Design (LD) has been presented as the EML standard. We propose a methodology to achieve an evaluation benchmark for LD and EMLs based on the identification of perspectives and patterns. We consider a perspective as a feature of an EML with a specific purpose which can be analyzed independently. For each identified perspective, we study the involved patterns. A pattern is an abstraction that is frequently repeated in a design domain, it can be considered as a typical solution to a common problem. Perspectives and patterns provide the criteria that will made up the evaluation benchmark. The evaluation benchmark is proposed to carry out two kinds of evaluation: expressiveness and suitability. The final purpose is to contribute to the development of LD in order to enhance the reusability and interoperability of units of learning. Editors: Colin Tattersall and Rob Koper.