Zum Ende der Metadaten springen
Zum Anfang der Metadaten

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.

The course element structure and all its sub-elements can be protected with a password. Open the tab "Access" to activate the password protection and set the password.

An exception to this is the course root node. It cannot be deleted or moved, and you can't set a password. If you wish to issue an evidence of achievements for users for this course, the settings in the "Score" tab need to be configured accordingly.

Overview

You can choose between three ways of presenting the child elements of the structure element. 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."

  • If you select the button «Automatic overview», a list of the subordinate course elements generated by OLAT will be displayed.
  • By selecting the radio button «Automatically generated overview incl. preview» you can choose up to ten subordinate course elements whose preview will appear in one or two columns (preview generated by OLAT).
  • If you select the button «Your HTML page », a file of your choice will be displayed from the storage folder (*.html, *.htm). Saving it will extend the tab by the field «Select, edit or create page ». 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).
  • If you select the button «No overview, activate first visible child node», no overview will be displayed, but this structure node will delegate to it's first visible and accessible child-node.

Display in two columns: Please select the check box Display in two columns to display the automatically generated table of contents or the preview in two columns.

Score

By means of this field you can process results of course elements of the type Structure, Assessment, Group / Task, SCORM learning content, Checklist, LTI page, ePortfolio and Test. The summarized results will appear when clicking on the course element Structure in the ongoing course.  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?".

In case you wish to utilize an evidence of achievement or be able to check the Passed status in the coaching tool, you must check the option Calculate passing score? in the course root node. 

Calculate score?: If you select «From elements», assessable course elements of your course will be displayed by means of Total score of. You can now select those whose score shall be generated on the course element Structure

Calculate passing score?: If you select «As of minimum score», you can enter the minimum score in another field. This refers to the course elements selected above, i.e. on the course element Structure a «Passed» is displayed, if the total score is greater or equal to the selected minimum score.
If you select «Adopt from course element», assessable course elements of your course are displayed by means of Passed by . You can now select those whose "passed" value should result in the "passed" value of the course element Structure with a boolean AND-link. I.e. if the course element Structure should show a «Passed», all selected course elements have to have a «Passed»

Use explicit short titles for all of your assessable course elements to be able to clearly distinguish them in the tab "Score."

By means of the button "Display  expert mode" an entry field will appear in order to be able to make a more complex configuration according to your needs.

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.

Avoid opening or saving HTML pages that have been created by means of an external editor with the OpenOLAT HTML editor; part of your formatting could be lost.

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). If there is a type not supported by your browser you will be shown a download link instead. It is recommended though to use HTML files.

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. 

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.

 Display options

Use standard configuration: If you embed learning resources from the learning resources management in the course you can choose to use the display configuration from the learning resource management (option "Use from learning resource layout configuration"). If you want to override the standards values for this course, then select option "Modify".

Display mode: Select the mode "Standard" to display the resource unmodified. This mode is useful for resource that encounter render issues when using the mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT", usually content not created with the OpenOLAT editor, such as HTML5 content. Use the mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT" when you want to embed the course layout, a JavaScript library, the OpenOLAT glossary or when you want to use the automatic height detection of the page. In case of SCORM modules the mode "Standard" is recommended.

Embed Javascript library: To use the features of the display mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT" the JavaScript library "jQuery" must be activated. The option "Prototype" should only be used in case your content requests this library. Select no JavaScript library if you have display issues with your content within OpenOLAT.

Embed glossary terms: Select this option to activate the glossary terms embedding on that page if you have a glossary configured for this course. This option requires the JavaScript library "jQuery".

Display height: By means of the drop-down menu you can determine the height of your content. You have the possibility to set them via "Automatic" to the respective window height or to a certain value of your choice.

Adapt layout: Select the option "OpenOLAT stylesheets" to embedd the OpenOLAT and course layout into this page (font type, colors, sizes etc.). If you do not want this option select "None".

Content character set: OpenOLAT tries to detect a character set automatically. If the option "Automatic" is not successful it is possible to configure the content coding by means of a predefined character set (should there be no coding the character set ISO-8899-1 will be used by default).

Javascript character set: This permits the coding of Javascript by means of a predefined character set (by default the same set will be used for content and Javascript).

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). For pages that require authentication you can provide the corresponding values in the fields "User" and "Password."

 External page: configuration

URL: You have to fill in this field. Here you indicate the site on which the desired external learning contents can be found (e.g. http://www.server.com/page.html).

Configure display: You can choose between four options:

  • Integrated completely (source hidden): The external HTML page will be parsed and integrated in your OLAT page completely. HTML pages may only contain resources such as images, Flash, videos or links with relative paths. Absolute relative paths such as "/public" (relative to a bsic URI) or absolute paths such as "http://..." are not allowed.

  • Embedded (source hidden): The external HTML page will be included in a so-called «iframe« The external page's Internet address will not be visible. HTML pages may only contain resources such as images, Flash, videos or links with relative paths. Absolute relative paths such as "/public" (relative to a bsic URI) or absolute paths such as "http://..." are not allowed.

  • Embedded (source visible): This also means including your external HTML page in a «iframe« The source code of the OLAT page will show you the external page's Internet address.

  • New browser window (source visible): Another option is the possibility to display your external page in its own browser window.

By selecting the upper two options OLAT will transfer user name and password in case your external page requests this.

Embedded frames («iframe«) resemble single browser windows, however, they are part of the initial window's HTML page. Advantage of using an «iframe« : you can show any content in OLAT (e.g. complex web pages in nested frames, mathML etc.). Disadvantage of using an «iframe« : your content might appear along with its own scroll bar.

User name: If this external page requires user identification, you have now the possibility to enter your user name.

Password: If this external page requires user identification, you have now the possibility to enter your password.

If you are not sure which option is best in your situation you can try "Completely embedded" first to test the other alternatives till your page is displayed correctly.

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". If you have not yet selected any ZIP file as CP learning content, the title Selected CP learning content shows the message No CP learning content selected .

After adding your CP content its title will be displayed as a link. Follow this link to get to the preview.. 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 whether the navigation of your Content Packaging shall be visible.

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.

 Display options

Use standard configuration: If you embed learning resources from the learning resources management in the course you can choose to use the display configuration from the learning resource management (option "Use from learning resource layout configuration"). If you want to override the standards values for this course, then select option "Modify".

Display mode: Select the mode "Standard" to display the resource unmodified. This mode is useful for resource that encounter render issues when using the mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT". Use the mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT" when you want to embed the course layout, a JavaScript library, the OpenOLAT glossary or when you want to use the automatic height detection of the page. In case of SCORM modules the mode "Standard" is recommended.

Embed Javascript library: To use the features of the display mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT" the JavaScript library "jQuery" must be activated. The option "Prototype" should only be used in case your content requests this library. Select no JavaScript library if you have display issues with your content within OpenOLAT.

Embed glossary terms: Select this option to activate the glossary terms embedding on that page if you have a glossary configured for this course. This option requires the JavaScript library "jQuery".

Display height: By means of the drop-down menu you can determine the height of your content. You have the possibility to set them via "Automatic" to the respective window height or to a certain value of your choice.

Adapt layout: Select the option "OpenOLAT stylesheets" to embedd the OpenOLAT and course layout into this page (font type, colors, sizes etc.). If you do not want this option select "None".

Content character set: OpenOLAT tries to detect a character set automatically. If the option "Automatic" is not successful it is possible to configure the content coding by means of a predefined character set (should there be no coding the character set ISO-8899-1 will be used by default).

Javascript character set: This permits the coding of Javascript by means of a predefined character set (by default the same set will be used for content and Javascript).

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". If you have not selected a ZIP file as SCORM learning content yet the message No SCORM learning content selected will appear in the title Selected SCORM learning content.

After adding your SCORM content its title will be displayed as a link. Follow this link to get to the preview.. In order to change the assignment of your SCORM learning content you have to click on "Replace SCORM 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.

 Scorm: configure

Show menu: Determine if there should be a navigation menu on the left along with your SCORM packet.

Skip launch page: Determine if the SCORM learning content should launch automatically if the corresponding menu-node is selected within the course. If you do not select this option, a start-page is displayed instead.

Show navigation buttons: Determine if it should be possible to navigate via the back and forward buttons within your SCORM content.

Display only module, hide LMS: Check this box if you want OpenOLAT to be hidden while the SCORM module is active.

Close module automatically on finish: Check this box if the SCORM module should automatically close when it's finished, returning the participant to the course.

Transfer score from SCORM: Determine if the total score of your SCORM packet should be transferred to the OLAT assessment system.

Score needed to pass: Determine an integer to indicate your minimum score for passing that SCORM test.

Prevent subsequent attempts from decreasing score: If this box is checked, a score already achieved will not be decreased by further attempts.

Max number of attempts: By means of the drop-down menu the number of attempts available can be limited. 

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.

 Display options

Use standard configuration: If you embed learning resources from the learning resources management in the course you can choose to use the display configuration from the learning resource management (option "Use from learning resource layout configuration"). If you want to override the standards values for this course, then select option "Modify".

Display mode: Select the mode "Standard" to display the resource unmodified. This mode is useful for resource that encounter render issues when using the mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT". Use the mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT" when you want to embed the course layout, a JavaScript library, the OpenOLAT glossary or when you want to use the automatic height detection of the page. In case of SCORM modules the mode "Standard" is recommended.

Embed Javascript library: To use the features of the display mode "Optimized for OpenOLAT" the JavaScript library "jQuery" must be activated. The option "Prototype" should only be used in case your content requests this library. Select no JavaScript library if you have display issues with your content within OpenOLAT.

Embed glossary terms: Select this option to activate the glossary terms embedding on that page if you have a glossary configured for this course. This option requires the JavaScript library "jQuery".

Display height: By means of the drop-down menu you can determine the height of your content. You have the possibility to set them via "Automatic" to the respective window height or to a certain value of your choice.

Adapt layout: Select the option "OpenOLAT stylesheets" to embedd the OpenOLAT and course layout into this page (font type, colors, sizes etc.). If you do not want this option select "None".

Content character set: OpenOLAT tries to detect a character set automatically. If the option "Automatic" is not successful it is possible to configure the content coding by means of a predefined character set (should there be no coding the character set ISO-8899-1 will be used by default).

Javascript character set: This permits the coding of Javascript by means of a predefined character set (by default the same set will be used for content and Javascript).

SCORM learning content will always be presented with a homepage. If such content contains tasks as well as tests you will learn from that homepage more about your score and remaining attempts to take tests.

 

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.

Folder: write permission

By means of this field you can determine the access as writer to the course element "Folder," e.g. the conditions of uploading and deleting files within a folder.

The box "Blocked for learners" is checked by default. This is in contrast to other course elements whose default settings are not restricted.

Read permission

By means of this box you can define the reading access to the course element "Folder," i.e. you can determine under which conditions your folder contents can be read. If you do not make any modifications the folder's contents will always be readable for all course participants.

For more information on the other restriction options, please go to General Configuration of Course Elements.

If you want to use more than one folder, e.g. one for each course event, it is recommendable to introduce the course element "Structure" before subordinating your folders to that structure. All restrictions regarding visibility and access then have to be configured in the course element "Structure" only.

Configuration

The tab "Folder configuration" allows you to define the specific target and file path for this folder course element within the course storage folder. There are four options available:

  • in the subfolder _courselementdata, a folder automatically generated and labeled with the name of the folder course element - option "Automaticall generated folder"

In order to be able to publish files from the course storage folder or an embedded resource folder, choose on of the following options:

  • in a folder previously created in the course storage folder, which will then be linked with the folder element - option "Choose folder from course storage", button select folder
  • in a folder newly created by you, placed and labeled as required - option "Choose folder from course storage", button create folder
  • in a first step, embed a resource folder in your course, before linking the course folder element with either the resource folder itself or with a subfolder - option "Choose folder from course storage", button select folder.In the following dialog, select the link _sharedfolder direkt, or click to open and select a subfolder, if available

If you need to make files accessible for users across various courses, it would be best to embed a resource folder. It allows you to comfortably manage files in the authoring tab in one resource, instead of managing the same files across various courses.

Further information on the folder is available in the folder chapter.

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.

Entries

Click on "Create your own episode" if you want to create podcast episodes within OLAT. Audio as well as video files can be uploaded by means of a special form. Users with access to that podcast will then be able to subscribe to your episodes via RSS Feed.

In case you already own a RSS Feed and want to make it available in OLAT please select "Embed an already existing external podcast". In that case you will not be able to edit your episodes in OLAT due to their external source.

How to create a podcast step by step and further information on other configuration possibilities can be found in the chapter "Creating Podcasts".

After adding your content its title will be displayed as a link. Follow this link to get to the preview. Now you have the possibility to select another content via the button "Replace blog/podcast." By means of the button "Edit" you will be able to edit your podcast.

Only course authors and moderators are allowed to create podcast episodes by default. However, all course participants are able to comment on episodes and can assess them by means of 1 - 5 stars. In the tab "Access" it is possible to adapt these settings according to your needs.

Podcast: permission to moderate

The access as moderator allows you to read, comment, edit, delete or create entries. Additionally moderators can modify the Feed's title and description.

The box "Blocked for learners" is checked by default. This is in contrast to other course elements whose default settings are not restricted.

Write permission

The access as moderator allows you to read and comment existing entries as well as create new ones. Entries once created cannot be modified or deleted later on.

Read permission

The access as reader allows you to read and comment all published entries. However, you cannot create your own entries.

For more information on the other restriction options, please go to General Configuration of Course Elements.

 

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.

 

Entries

Click on "Create your own entries" if you want to create or edit blog entries within OLAT. Users with access to that blog will be able to subscribe to your entries by means of RSS Feed.

In case you already own a RSS Feed of a certain blog (from another website) and want to make it available within OLAT please select "Embed an already existing external blog". In that case you will not be able to edit your entries in OLAT due to their external source.

How to create a blog step by step and further information on other configuration possibilities can be found in the chapter "Creating Blogs".

After adding your content its title will be displayed as a link. Follow this link to get to the preview. Now you have the possibility to select another content via the button "Replace blog/podcast." By means of the button "Edit" you will be able to edit your blog.

Only course authors and moderators are allowed to create blog entries by default. However, all course participants are able to comment on entries and can assess them by means of 1 - 5 stars. In the tab "Access" it is possible to adapt these settings according to your needs.

Blog: permission to moderate

The access as moderator allows you to read, comment, edit, delete or create entries. Additionally moderators can modify the Feed's title and description.

The box "Blocked for learners" is checked by default. This is in contrast to other course elements whose default settings are not restricted.

Write permission

The access as moderator allows you to read and comment existing entries as well as create new ones. Entries once created cannot be modified or deleted later on.

Read permission

The access as reader allows you to read and comment all published entries. However, you cannot create your own entries.

For more information on the other restriction options, please go to General Configuration of Course Elements.

Course Element: Video


Use the course element "Video" to include videos in MPEG-4 format (.mp4) in your course. Your video has to be created externally. More information on video formats and uploading videos into OpenOLAT can be found in the Video chapter.

In the tab "Learning content" just click on "Select or import video" to assign a video to your course element. Click on "Import" to upload a new video or select an existing video from your entries. Videos can either be imported to the course editor or by means of the "Authoring" site.  For further information please go to the chapter "Actions in the 'Authoring' section", section "Import". If you have not selected a video yet the message No video selected will appear in the title Selected video.

After adding your video its title will be displayed as a link. Follow this link to get to the preview. In order to change the assignment of your video you have to click on "Replace Video" in the tab "Learning content" before selecting another video.

In the "Options" section you can define the settings for the display of the video. You can allow users to comment on the video and add a rating in the course view. If you check the "Video autoplay" box, the video automatically starts playing as soon as the course element is in full display. The description field allows you to either add a custom description, the resource description from the info page or none. The description will be displayed beneath the video in the course element.