Course Element: Structure
The course element " Structure" serves to arrange your course. By default it offers an automatic overview of all sub-elements along with short title, title, and description. Use this course element to arrange your course content and/or to clearly separate your modules.
By means of the course element "Structure" you can determine to put either an automatic overview, an automatic overview with preview or your own HTML page on display. All necessary configurations are made in the tab "Overview." When selecting "Automatically generated overview incl. preview" you can choose up to ten subordinate course elements whose preview will appear in one or two columns. In OpenOLAT there is even an integrated HTML editor at your disposal if you want to design a HTML page according to your needs (e.g. a welcome page).
In addition you can combine the status of assessable course elements ("Task", "Test", "SCORM learning content", "Assessment", "Checklist", "LTI page", "ePortfolio") in the course element "Structure." According to the display of your choice you have to select in the tab "Score" the corresponding option in the section "Calculate score?" or "Calculate passing score?". The option "Calculate passing score?" either depends on a minimum score defined by yourself or you can adopt the status "Passed" or "Failed" from the selected course element.
Course Element: Single Page
In the course element "Single page" you can insert various files in your course. It is possible to announce general information there such as your program or recommended literature regarding your course. There are three possibilities to embed a page's content in your course:
- Create new HTML page online
- Select any file from the storage folder
- Upload file in storage folder
Click on "Create page and open in Editor" or "Select page" in the tab "Page content." If you have already embedded a file just click on "Replace page."
Create your page content directly by means of the OpenOLAT HTML editor. The file created automatically when creating a page for the first time already has the name of the course element. In case you wish to replace an already existing file, click on "Replace page" and select "Create file". Indicate your file name in the field "Create a new HTML page" before clicking on "Create." The HTML editor will open and you can create your content as if using a word-processing program. Your page will then be stored in the corresponding folder in the storage folder.
If you have already uploaded a file in your storage folder or if you have created one there you can embed this file by clicking on "Replace page" and selecting "Choose file". All files in the storage folder will be displayed.
In the section "Upload file" under "Replace page" you can upload files from your local computer, zipped or one by one, before embedding them. All file formats are allowed (e.g. doc, xsl, pdf, jpg, mp3).
In the tab "Page content," section "Security settings," you can determine if references in your HTML pages should only be possible to files of the same folder (along with its sub-folders) or if all files of the storage folder can be referenced. Coaches without author rights can be given editing rights to this specific page here. Detailed information on these options can be found in the context-sensitive Help of the tab "Page content".
In the "Layout" tab you can define the settings for the display of page contents. Here you determine whether the page should be displayed unaltered, or optimized for OpenOLAT. The display mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT" allows you to e.g. apply the course layout to the page content, or to enable the course glossary. Detailed information on these options can be found in the context-sensitive Help of the tab "Layout".
Multiple single pages
Clicking "Multiple single pages" displays all files available in this course. More files can be added using the storage folder.
Select all files you wish to add to the course as single pages, and decide whether the selected files should be added after or as a child of the current course element. You can arrange the new pages afterwards into their correct order.
Course Element: External Page
By means of the course element "External page" you can embed web pages in your course navigation. The content of the page will be displayed in an OpenOLAT window. It is recommended to use this course element when planning to include pages containing database queries (e.g. research tools, online exercises, etc.). It is only possible to link external pages via HTTP or HTTPS protocols.
First you have to indicate the URL to be referenced in the tab "Page content." In order to see that linked page correctly there are the following four options to choose from: "Completely embedded" (source hidden), "Embedded (source hidden)," "Embedded (source visible)," and "New browser window" (source visible). More details regarding these options can be found in the context-sensitive Help in the tab "Page content." For pages that require authentication you can provide the corresponding values in the fields "User" and "Password."
Course Element: LTI Page
By means of the course element "LTI page" it is possible to integrate external learning applications in your course before having their content displayed in an OpenOLAT window. LTI means "Learning Tool Interoperability" and is an IMS standard to embed external learning applications such as e.g. a chat, a media Wiki, a test editor, or a virtual lab.
Indicate the URL to be referenced in the tab "Page content" along with its key and password. When selecting this LTI page in the course navigation, the user must accept the data transfer for privacy protection reasons first, before any user data, course information or keys will be transferred to the embedded application, password controlled and in the background. Your learning application will check access rights and grant access with a valid key.
If the option "transfer score" is activated, the LTI page can be added as an assessable course element to the course, which then appears in the assessment tool. In addition to that, the score also appears on the homepage of the LTI course element.
The display options allow you to determine how the page is displayed for your students. Detailed information on these options can be found in the context-sensitive Help of the tab "Page content".
Course Element: CP Learning Content
CP means "Content Packaging" and is an e-learning standard for learning content. Use the course element "CP learning content" to include learning content in the IMS CP format (IMS CP version 1.1.2) in your course. You can create CPs directly within OpenOLAT; further information can be found in the chapter "Creating CP Learning Content". Or you can create a CP externally, e.g. with eLML.
In the tab "Learning content" just click on "Create, select or import CP learning content" in order to assign a CP to your course element or to create a new CP. CPs can either be imported to the course editor or by means of the "Authoring" section; further information can be found in the chapter "Actions in the 'Authoring' section", section "Import".
To change the assignment of a certain CP learning content later on just click on "Replace CP learning content" in the tab "Learning content" before selecting another CP.
In the section "Display" you can determine how your learning content should be presented to course participants.
In the "Layout" tab you can define the settings for the display of the CP. You can either use the layout configuration settings from the learning resource, or modify the standard settings. If you choose the "Modify" option, the following settings are available. You can then determine whether the CP should be displayed unaltered, or optimized for OpenOLAT. The display mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT" allows you to e.g. apply the course layout to the CP content, or to enable the course glossary. Detailed information on these options can be found in the context-sensitive Help of the tab "Layout".
Course Element: SCORM Learning Content
SCORM means "Sharable Content Object Reference Model" and is another standardized e-learning format supported by OpenOLAT. Use the course element "SCORM learning content" to include learning content in SCORM format (SCORM version 1.2) in your course. Your SCORM package has to be created externally, e.g. with eLML.
In the tab "Learning content" just click on "Select or import SCORM learning content" to assign a SCORM learning content to your course element. Click on "Import" to upload a new SCORM package or select an existing SCORM package from your entries. SCORM packages can either be imported to the course editor or by means of the "Authoring;" for further information please go to the chapter "Actions in the 'Authoring' section", section "Import".
In order to change the assignment of your SCORM learning content later on you have to click on "Replace SCOPRM learning content" in the tab "Learning content" before selecting another SCORM package.
In the section "Settings" you can determine how your learning content should be presented to course participants. More detailed information can be found in the context-sensitive Help of that field.
In the "Layout" tab you can define the settings for the display of the SCORM package. You can either use the layout configuration settings from the learning resource, or modify the standard settings. If you choose the "Modify" option, the following settings are available. You can then determine whether the SCORM package should be displayed unaltered, or optimized for OpenOLAT. The display mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT" allows you to e.g. apply the course layout to the SCORM package. Detailed information on these options can be found in the context-sensitive Help of the tab "Layout".
Course Element: Folder
In the course element "Folder" you can offer files to be downloaded. Often folders are used to provide course participants with scripts or slides regarding your course. Using the external link available in the meta data, you can link directly to a specific file from outside of OpenOLAT.
In general all course participants have the permission to download files from that folder. All course authors additionally may upload files. These preset rights can be adapted according to your needs in the tab "Access" of the respective course element.
Course Element: Wiki
Use a Wiki to easily create learning content together with your course participants. A Wiki is suitable for doing group work; it can serve as documentation tool or as some sort of knowledge base for your studies and projects.
The course element "Wiki" helps you to embed a Wiki in your course. Just click on "Select, create or import Wiki" in the tab "Wiki learning content" to assign a Wiki already existing or to create a new one. The chapter "Creating Wikis" will tell you how to do so step by step.
In order to change the assignment of a Wiki later on click on "Replace Wiki" in the tab "Wiki learning content" before selecting another Wiki.
In general all course participants have read and write permission in a Wiki. Only those OpenOLAT users who have created the Wiki or users appointed as owners are allowed to delete Wiki pages. These preset rights can be adapted in the tab "Access" of the respective course element according to your needs.
In the chapter "Learning Activities in Courses," section "Wiki", you will find more information on how to adapt the Wiki syntax, how to create new pages, and how to view different versions of a Wiki page.
Course Element: Podcast
The course element "Podcast" can either be used to easily provide others with your own audio and video files or with external podcast episodes in OpenOLAT. Course participants can see episodes directly within OpenOLAT; or they can subscribe to podcasts, upload those by means of online services such as iTunes before copying them to a mobile device.
Add the course element "Podcast" to your course. Create your podcast in the tab "Podcast learning content" before editing it. Determine at first if you want to integrate an external podcast or if you prefer to create episodes on your own. How to create a podcast step by step and further information on other configuration possibilities can be found in the chapter "Creating Podcasts".
Course Element: Blog
By means of a "Blog" you can inform your course participants on news in the form of texts, pictures or videos. After embedding your course element it is possible to create new entries in the course view immediately.
The course element "Blog" serves to include a blog into your course. In the tab "Blog learning content" you can create a blog before editing it. You should determine first if you want to include an external blog or if you prefer to create new entries on your own. How to create a blog step by step and further information on other configuration possibilities can be found in the chapter "Creating Blogs".
Course Element: Forum
By means of the course element "Forum" you can provide your course with the possibility to communicate online, e.g. to discuss questions regarding the course content among your course participants.
Generally all course participants have read and write permission in a forum. All course authors and tutors dispose of the option to moderate a forum additionally. These preset rights can be adapted in the tab "Access" of the respective course element according to your needs.
Moderators hold the following rights:
- Editing and deleting all posts in a forum; attaching files.
- Prioritizing threads (sticky): a certain discussion subject will always appear on top of a list.
- Closing discussion: it will no longer be possible to reply to a certain discussion subject.
- Hiding discussion: a certain subject will no longer appear in the forum list.
- Displaying discussion: hidden subject will be displayed anew.
- Filter for persons: on the forum's overview page posts of every single course participant can be displayed.
- Archiving forum: posts and attached files will be zipped before storing them in your personal folder.
In the chapter "Learning Activities in Courses" you will get further information on opening topics and replying to questions; see section "Forum".
Course Element: File Dialog
The course element "File dialog" provides you with preset discussion forums; in contrast to an ordinary forum, dialogs here are explicitly based on certain documents. Use such a file dialog to let your course participants discuss e.g. scientific articles or papers.
In the tab "Forum/storage configuration" you can upload documents in the storage folder of your file discussion by clicking on "Upload file." You can also determine if your file dialog should be included in your course or if it should be displayed in a new window.
In general all course participants have read and write permission in a forum and may upload or download files. All course authors and tutors additionally dispose of the option to moderate a file dialog. These preset rights can be adapted in the tab "Access" of the respective course element according to your needs. The right to moderate has already been explained in the section "Course Element: Forum."
In the chapter "Learning Activities in Courses" you will get more information on how to upload files or how to open topics and reply to questions; see section "File Dialog".
Course Element: Assessment
The course element "Assessment" is suitable to assess achievements not handed in electronically. You can evaluate manually e.g. presentations by course participants with passed or failed, with a score or with an individual comment. The course element "Assessment" serves to preconfigure the assessment of such achievements. Individual assessments can be inserted by using the assessment tool of your course.
According to your assessment you can preconfigure the display of a score, of a status or a comment in the tab "Assessment." In the field "Information for all users" and "Information for tutors" you provide general information on how to assess achievements.
Course Elements: Task & Group Task
By means of the course elements „Task" and „Group Task“ you can provide exercises for individual participants and groups to be handed in electronically before being assessed by a tutor.
In the tab "Workflow" you determine which of the following six elements you want to utilize:
Task Assignment: assign tasks to course participants.
Submission: this is where course participants create their solutions or upload them in a PDF file format.
Review and Correction: this is where course participants will find their tasks corrected as well as requests for revisions.
Revision Period: course participants upload their revised documents in this element. You as a coach can place multiple revision requests until the task is considered completed and the revision process closed.
Sample solution: provide course participants with sample solutions of their tasks. You can either create them directly in OpenOLAT or upload files.
- Assessment: create individual assessments for each course participant.
How to create tasks step by step and further information on other configuration possibilities can be found in the chapter "Creating Tasks".
How course participants will see the course element "Task" will be explained in the chapter "Learning Activities in Courses," section "Task and Group Task".
Course Element: Portfolio Task
By means of the course element "Portfolio task" you can provide predefined portfolio templates to be filled by your course participants. Their tasks can then be submitted electronically and assessed by a tutor.
By means of the tab "Learning content" you can create new portfolio templates or select a predefined one. How to create a portfolio task as course author will be explained in the chapter "Creating Portfolio Tasks".
Additionally you can determine a deadline for your portfolio task in the tab "Learning content." You can define a specific date or set a deadline in relation to that task's collection date. If the deadline is over your task will be retracted automatically; it will no longer be possible to perform that task.
Optionally you can create a message to be displayed when clicking on the course element "Portfolio task" within your course.
In the tab "Assessment" you can preconfigure the display of scores, status, as well as individual comments. Within the fields "Hint for all users" and "Hint for tutors" you can provide course participants and tutors with general information on how to make assessments.
Information on how a portfolio element is seen and dealt with by course participants can be found in the chapter "Learning Activities in Courses," section "Portfolio task".
Course Element: Test
The course element "Test" is used to control achievements within a course. Course results will be archived in a personalized way. A test has to be imported or created first in the so-called IMS QTI format (version 1.2). If you have not generated a test before please follow the instructions in the chapter "Creating Tests and Questionnaires".
By means of the course element "Test" you include that test in your course. In this course element, data regarding course participants will be stored (number of attempts, scores, detailed assessments). Click on "Select, create or import file" in the tab "Test configuration" to assign this course element to a test or create a new one.
A test will always be started along with a homepage in your course. You can edit the content of this page in the section "Information (HTML page)".
The presentation of results, etc. can be configured in the tab "Test configuration" as well. For more information please go to "Display Options and Configuration", section "On the course level."
Information on how to see test results can be found in "Archiving Results of Tests and Questionnaires".
Course Element: Self-test
The course element "Self-test" is also used to control achievements in a course. In contrast to the course element "Test" self-tests are suitable to get practice; results of self-tests will be saved anonymously. Self-tests can be taken as often as needed. The course element "Self-test" contains learning resources of the type "Test." Therefore it is up to you if you want to offer a test or a self-test. Your test has to be imported or created first in the so-called IMS QTI format (version 1.2). If you have not generated a test before please follow the instructions in the chapter "Creating Tests and Questionnaires".
By means of the course element "Self-test" you embed your test in a course. In this element data regarding course participants are stored anonymized (number of taken tests, scores, detailed assessments). Just click on "Select, create or import file" in the tab "Configuration self-test" to assign your course element to a test or create a new one.
A self-test is always started along with a homepage in your course. You can design its content individually in the section "Information (HTML page)".
The presentation of results, etc. can be configured in the tab "Self-test configuration" as well. For more information please go to "Display Options and Configuration", section "On the course level."
Information on how to see test results can be found in "Archiving Results of Tests and Questionnaires".
Course Element: Questionnaire
By means of a questionnaire you can carry out online evaluations in your course, e.g. at the beginning to find out what your course participants expect. You can also process the results gained with statistic methods or evaluate your course at the end. Results will be stored anonymously. A questionnaire has to be imported or created first in IMS QTI format (version 1.2). If you have never generated a questionnaire before please follow the instructions in the chapter "Creating Tests and Questionnaires.
By means of the course element "Questionnaire" you embed a questionnaire in your course. Click on "Select, create or import questionnaire" in the tab "Questionnaire configuration" to assign that course element to a questionnaire.
A questionnaire will always be started along with a homepage in your course. You can design its content individually in the section "Information (HTML page)."
The presentation of results, etc. can be configurated in the tab "Questionnaire configuration" as well. For more information please go to "Display Options and Configuration", section "On course level."
Information on how to download questionnaire results can be found in "Archiving Results of Tests and Questionnaires".
Course Element: Enrolment
The course element "Enrolment" is used to let course participants enroll in one or more groups. It is then possible to restrict access to certain documents or to assign group work. Just define in the tab "Configuration" in which and how many groups participants will be able to enroll. When indicating a learning area this area will be offered to all groups. In case you have not already created groups or learning areas or in case you need more, you can perform this by clicking on "Select" and "Create" in the tab "Configuration." For further information please navigate to the section „Learning area" in the chapter "Course Elements and Course Editor", and the chapter "Groups".
In the field "Delisting allowed" you can decide if a registered course participant should have the possibility to delist from a group. In the group management you can determine while editing groups if there should be a waiting list and if moving up automatically from that list should be possible.
Course Element: Topic Assignment
The course element "Topic assignment" is useful if you want to announce e.g. topics for term papers in your course before having them supervised. Course authors determine the detailed configuration of their topic assignment. This comprises e.g. who has the right to announce and supervise topics, how topics have to be described, or how many topics can be selected by one course participant. What makes this course element so special is the fact that not course authors but topic authors will announce and supervise such topics.
How to configure topic assignments
In the tab "Configuration" you determine first how many topics can be selected by one participant, if this selection is definite or if it has to be accepted by the topic author first. Furthermore you can add additional fields to describe a topic in more detail. This description will then be displayed in the table containing all topics announced. Here you can also determine if registrations and submissions shall only be possible within a certain period of time. In the tab "Sub-elements" you can choose if there should be a drop box as well as a return box in your topic assignment. Course participants will then upload their files to that drop box while topic authors will return those files by means of a return box.
How to appoint topic authors
In the tab "Persons in charge" you add those OpenOLAT users who should be able to announce and supervise topics. These persons do not necessarily have to hold author rights.
If you remove a topic author who has already announced a topic he will still be able to supervise it. However, this person will no longer be able to announce new topics.
Role of topic authors
When being authorized by a course author to act as topic author you can announce as well as supervise topics. Just open the course view and navigate to your topic assignment.
How to create a new topic
Click on "Create new topic" and indicate its title as well as a description. Depending on the configuration of your topic assignment you can add further details to the topic's description, determine deadlines for registration and submission, decide how many course participants are allowed to select your topic, and upload additional files if needed. In addition to that you can decide whether participants have the right to deselect already selected topics, and whether topic authors should receive e-mail notifications on de-/selections of topics.
How to configure topics
If you want to modify your configuration later on just click on the topic's title. Now you will be able to edit that topic, change its status from "Open" to "Closed" or vice versa, or delete that topic.
How to manage participants
If the configuration of your topic assignment requires that course participants have to be accepted by the topic author you will see on the home page of topic assignments the note "Check participant" in a table as soon as somebody has applied for your topic. Now open the tab "Topic assignment" and accept the application of your candidate(s). It is also possible to add or remove participants in this tab manually.
How to upload and return files
In the tab "Folder," section "Drop box," you will find all those files course participants have submitted. In the section "Return box" you can put files already corrected. There will be one sub-folder for each course participant.
Course Element: Notifications
This course element allows you to embed notifications in your course structure. These notifications will be visible in your course as well as in the notifications section of each single user. Course participants can subscribe to this element; it is also possible to establish an automated subscription. Messages from notifications course elements can be viewed using the subscriptions tool in the personal menu. Course authors (in a course) can determine the amount of notifications that should be displayed in a course.
Course Element: Participant list
Unlike the member management course tool, which is only visible for course owners, the course element "Participant list" provides a list of all course members to those OpenOLAT users allowed to open the respective course. Members are listed depending on their role within the course as either course administrator, coach or participant.
By linking the member names to their OpenOLAT visiting card as well as the OpenOLAT mail service, this course element facilitates contacting your fellow course members directly from within the course.
Course Element: E-Mail
By means of the course element "E-Mail" you provide your course participants with the possibility to send an e-mail to pre-defined recipients.
There are two possibilities to send messages. You can either select the pre-defined groups of recipients you want to send a message to in the tab "Recipients" or you directly indicate your e-mail addresses. You can select whether you wish to address owners, coaches and /or participants of either course, groups or both.
In the fields "Subject (form)" and "Message (form)" you can pre-define default values to be edited later on by your course participants when sending e-mails.
Course Element: Calendar
By means of the course element "Calendar" you can embed a course calendar in the course structure. This course element offers an alternative view on the course calendar to be found in the course toolbar.
In the tab "Calendar configuration" you can decide which date should be displayed when a course calendar is activated from the course structure. Furthermore you can initiate that dates from your course calendar will automatically be transferred to the personal calendars of your course participants.
Course Element: Checklist
The course element „Checklist“ offers you the opportunity to assess and embed e.g. todo, attendance lists or regular checklists into your course structure.
Using the checklist, coaches are able to document a given task list or attendance requirements, or support procedures. A checklist contains items with completed and uncompleted tasks or checks.
By means of the course element "Checklist" you can add different kinds of checklists to your course. Create individual check boxes in the tab "Check boxes" via the button "Add checkbox". You can add files for download to a checkbox. Detailed information on creating and configuring check boxes and the checklist can be found in the respective context-sensitive help.
You can set a due date after which the checklist will be locked for student editing in the "Configuration" tab. As an assessable course element you can specify here whether the participants get points for filling out the checklist, and what should be included in the results display.
After you have created the checklist, you will see the two tabs "My Checklist" and "Manage checklists" on the element page. Course participants without coach rights can not see the administration tab.
The checklist management offers an overview of all checkboxes of participants coached by you. Filter the table by group if you are coaching multiple groups. Edit the checkboxes and assess your participants directly, without leaving the course. For access to the assessment tool, click on the "Edit" link in the table, to the right of the respective users' name.
Altogether there are four options to edit user checklists and process their assessment at your disposal. For one, use the "Edit" link in the table, from where you have direct access to the assessment tool. By clicking the "Edit per checkbox" button, a new table with one specific checkbox for all users open. Select the appropriate checkbox by using the checkbox filter dropdown list. The "Edit" button opens the table overview in edit mode, which allows you to edit all checkboxes of all participants. And finally, checkboxes of participants can also be edited in the assessment tool.
Multiple checklists
Clicking "Multiple checklists" opens the checklist wizard, which enables you to create multiple similar checklists simultaneously. They will be added as child nodes to a structure course element.
Create a template for the new checklists in the first, and configure them in the second step. Specify the title and release dates of the individual checklists in the next step. The parent structure element will be configured in the last step. The checklist group is inserted at the end of the course. You can arrange the group or individual checklists afterwards into their correct order. Further information can be found in the respective context-sensitive help.
Course Element: Link list
The course element "Link list" enables the author to quickly assemble a collection of links relevant to the course. No HTML proficiency is required. Simply open the course editor, navigate to the link list course element, open the "Configuration" tab and enter the URL and name of the website you wish to add as a link. The target (URL) and description (name) fields are mandatory, while additional information on the link can be added through the comment field. Add or remove links using the + / - buttons.
Course Element: Virtual Classroom
The course element "Virtual Classroom" allows you to hold virtual meetings with either Adobe Connect or Wimba. The virtual classroom is especially suited for lectures and presentations. The templates allow the use of differently configured virtual rooms.
The virtual meeting room facilitates communication via video, audio and text as well as screen sharing. Depending on the software you are using, a range of other functions are at your disposal.
Please consult the context sensitive help for further information concerning configuration and use of this course element.
Course Element: vitero
The "vitero" course element allows you to embed the vitero system for web conferencing, e-collaboration, live e-learning and language learning into your course. vitero (virtual team room) enables you to create meetings for up to 12 participants plus moderator.
The virtual meeting room facilitates communication via text, audio and video as well as document and desktop sharing. The vitero system can be used for virtual team meetings, but also supports e.g. lectures ("chalk-and-talk"). All meetings work with the three temporary roles of moderator, assistant moderator and participant, thus reflecting the olat course roles administrator, coach and participant.
Please consult the context sensitive help for further information concerning configuration and use of the vitero course element.
Course Element: OpenMeetings
The course element"OpenMeetings" allows you to embed the Open Source solution "OpenMeeting" for online conferencing, virtual classrooms and interviews into your course. OpenMeetings enables you to create meetings for up to 150 participants. OpenMeeting differentiates between three different types of online meetings:
- Conference for 1-25 Users
- Webinar for 1-150 Users
- Interviews or 2 Users
The virtual meeting room facilitates communication via chat, video and audio as well as screen and file sharing. In addition to that, OpenMeetings also provides the users with a whiteboard with different tools. Meetings can be recorded, and can be viewed afterwards in the course element. OpenMeetings supports the role of moderator, which can be enabled for each classroom. You can provide more than one virtual room to your participants by embedding several OpenMeetings course elements into your course.
