Various Types of Learning Resources
OpenOlat comprises different types of learning resources. With the exception of courses they have in common that they can be embedded into one or more courses. The following learning resources can be created directly in OpenOlat.
In addition, other formats such as SCORM, IMS QTI 1.2 tests and other files such as movies, animations, PowerPoint, images, music, PDF, Excel, Word files can be imported as learning resources.
In the following the learning resources are briefly described:
Course
An OpenOlat course can accompany lectures, seminars or tutorials and represent diverse didactic concepts such as group puzzles or problem-based learning. OpenOlat courses are unique document types. They can contain any number of course elements. How to work with those different course elements will be explained in the chapter "Learning Activities in Courses" in more detail. How to create courses will be illustrated in the chapter "Creating Courses". More information on course elements and the course editor can be found in the chapter "Types of Course Element".
Test (QTI 2.1)
Tests can be used for examinations or exercises in general. In the first case course authors can see all test results along with corresponding test participants; in the second case all results are saved anonymously. Each test exists in a standardized file format, the so-called IMSQTI format. IMS deals with the development of open standards in e-learning. QTI means "Question & Test Interoperability" and is a predefined standardized format used for generating tests and questionnaires online.
More information on using and creating tests can be found in the chapter "Creating Tests".
CP Learning Content
Content Packaging (abbr.: CP) is a kind of learning content in standardized e-learning format. The specification of this format also comes from IMS. OpenOlat supports the IMS CP version 1.1.2. CPs are suitable for being either used in OpenOlat courses or outside of it. OpenOlat supports this format; therefore learning content cannot only be used in OpenOlat but in other LMS as well. Further information on generating Content Packages can be found in the chapter "Creating CP Learning Content".
Wiki
Wikis are particularly suited for creating content jointly in an easy way. A Wiki can be used for working in groups, as documentation tool or as knowledge base for your studies and projects.
For more information on how to create Wikis and embed those in your course please go to the chapter "Creating Wikis". How to generate content within a Wiki will be explained in the chapter "Learning Activities Within a Course," section "Wiki".
Podcast
A podcast allows you to upload audio or video files that can later be made available in OpenOlat. Podcasts can either be accessed directly in OpenOlat or they can be subscribed via online services such as iTunes in order to copy single episodes to mobile devices later on. Your course participants will be able to easily assess or comment on such podcast episodes.
Information on how to create and embed podcasts in your course can be found in the chapter "Creating Podcasts". Further details on how to use podcasts as course participant will be explained in the chapter "Learning Activities in Courses," section "Podcast".
Blog
In a blog you can easily publish or update personal as well as professional information. Blogs are often used as a kind of diary or journal. Course participants will be able to comfortably assess or comment on blog entries.
Information on how to create and embed a blog in your course will be found in the chapter "Creating Blogs". Further details on how to use blogs as course participant will be explained in the chapter "Learning Activities in Courses," section "Blog".
Resource Folder
With the help of the resource folder, files (content, information, graphics, etc.) can be used in multiple courses. In doing so, the files are referenced from the resource folder and thus do not need to be created multiple times. The linked resource folder is displayed in the storage folder of the linked course under _sharedfolder and there is access to all files stored in the resource folder. Changes to the files in the resource folder then apply to all linked courses. It should be noted that only one resource folder can be added per course. Further information can be found in the chapter "Course settings" in the submenu "Resource folder".
Form
A form is usually used to collect data, for example for event evaluation. Each course participant can fill out the same questionnaire only once. The results are stored anonymously. For more information on the use and creation of form, see the chapter Creating questionnaires.
Portfolio 2.0 Template
A Portfolio 2.0 template contains tasks that can be used as part of a portfolio assessment and entered into an OLAT course as a portfolio task. With the help of a Portfolio 2.0 template, lecturers can design a structured portfolio folder that the students can collect and edit. Further information on the Portfolio Template and on ePortfolio in general can be found in the corresponding chapter.
Glossary
In the glossary terms will be defined. As soon as those terms are used within learning content a student will see their explanation. Additionally you can get a list of all terms and definitions in a printable version. In addition to the usual settings for learning resources, you can also activate the options "Alphabetical Register" and "Write Permission" in the learning resource Glossary, if required, in order to adjust the display and editing permissions.
More information on how to create a glossary and embed it into your course can be found in chapter "Course Operation," section "Glossary". How to use your glossary within a course will be explained in the chapter "Learning Activities in Courses," section "Glossary".
Other learning resources:
SCORM Learning Content
Another standardized e-learning format supported by OpenOlat is the SCORM format (version 1.2). SCORM is short for "Sharable Content Object Reference Model" and a reference model for exchangeable electronic learning content of the "Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative" (ADL). SCORM learning content is suitable for courses within OpenOlat as well as courses outside. OpenOlat supports this format; therefore your learning content can be applied not only in OpenOlat but also in other LMS.
SCORM modules cannot be created in OpenOlat, only imported.
Video
A video is a learning content in the MPEG-4 format with the file extension .mp4, and is used for audio and video playback. OpenOlat supports subtitles in multiple languages, in-video quizzes and annotations. Further information on video formats can be found in the "Creating Videos" chapter.
Learning resources of the type "File"
Apart from the above-mentioned learning resources, a comprehensive number of other file types may be imported into OpenOlat. Among these are PDF, PowerPoint, Excel and Word, as well as movie, image, sound or animation files.
If a corresponding document editor is activated, you can also create Word, Excel or PowerPoint files directly in OpenOlat as a learning resource.