Learning System Management Talk

Resources and forum for LMS developers and users

john

ATutor 1.3.2 Released

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ATutor 1.3.2 has been released. ATutor is an Open Source Web-based Learning Content Management System (LCMS) designed with accessibility and adaptability in mind.

New in this Release:

*SCORM Conformant Content Packaging: ATutor will create content packages that can be exported to other SCORM conformant systems, and ATutor can import content from those same systems.

*Upgraded Content Editor: A tabbed layout allows instructors to switch between the content editor, document properties, keywords/metadata editor, glossary editor, and preview screens.

*New Look & Feel for Intro Pages: The login screen, browse courses, registration, and other ATutor introductory screens have been redesigned with a more attractive appearance. Administrators can customize the logo and background image on these screens to match their organization’s appearance

*ATutor Free Course Server: We have setup ATutor to allow ATutor.ca members who do not have access to an ATutor installation to develop content and teach their courses from the ATutor Course Server.

*PostNuke Module (pnATutor): Thanks to the efforts at NUY.info, ATutor can now be run within a PostNuke environment, adding an LCMS to the already rich collection of content management tools found in PostNuke.

*Additions and Enhancements: And, as usual, lots of minor fixes, additions, and enhancements.

Currently being Developed for an Upcoming ATutor Release:

*Content Accessibility Checker: The next release will have its own utility to review content and ensure it will be accessible to all potential ATutor users. Support will be available for WCAG 1.0 (and WCAG 2.0 when it is finalized), as well as Section 508 and European standards.

*TILE Learning Objects Repository: We have already successfully imported content from the TILE repository into ATutor, and we are currently working on the other half of the tool set to allow ATutor content developers to submit content into the repository.

*SCORM Run Time: With IMS and SCORM content packaging in place, we are now focusing effort on developing a SCORM compliant run time environment for ATutor.

*Teaching Assistants: Instructors will be able to assign various instructor functionality to teaching assistants.

*Redesigned Tracker: Content tracking, preference, and tool usage statistics collection, processing, and display are being upgraded in preparation for the introduction of the “Intelligent Tutor” that will analyze usage patterns and assist students in configuring ATutor to their way of learning.

*Assignment Manager: Students will be able to submit and manage their assignments, and instructors and teaching assistants can review submissions, assign marks, and provide feedback.

*ACollab Addon: The ATutor addon module is being developed to allow external application to run with ATutor. Similar to pnATutor, which allows ATutor to run within the PostNuke content management system, the ATutor addon utility will allow ACollab (and other similar applications) to run within ATutor, adding a set of tools for conducting group learning activities within ATutor.

For more information about other features visit the ATutor home site:
http://www.atutor.ca/

ATutor Demos
http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/demo.php

ATutor Documentation
http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/docs/index.php

Download ATutor
http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/download.php

Added L-Vision to resource page

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L-Vision: the Learning and Event Manager
L-Vision is a comprehensive and affordable Learning
Management System elegantly addressing all areas of
learning administration – registration, scheduling,
invoicing, attendance, e-mail correspondence, eLearning,
CRM, marketing, and much more.

If you think your LMS or e-learning technology should be listed on LMS talk, simply email us with your details and we will gladly add you.

Australian e-learning and accessibility

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“New extensions to the Disability Discrimination Act, aimed at improving education and training, will soon affect online learning and computer training generally.” So begins an article in last weeks Age (see Impediment no barrier By Eric Wilson – December 8, 2003 – for full article). Despite the 180 odd mark up errors and a handful of errors on the Bobby accessibility checker, the article does indicate something I’m well too aware of.

I recently assisted Reece Lamshed from Binary Blue in testing the accessibility of websites in the Australian educational sector. Unfortunately many sites were unable to conform to even the most basic of requirements.

We have been developing an Accessibility Wizard. This is a tool that guides members of a website / application production team to ensure that the work they do on a project will comply with the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative.

In the meantime Accessibility is a growing issue for programmers developing both Learning Management and Content Management syetems for the educational sector.

LMS Talk update

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There appears to be a bit of life on this site at last. Welcome to the people have joined this forum in past week and I hope we are seeing the beginnings of an ongoing discussion. If you work in education or are an LMS developer, please take the opportunity to promote us to your networks.