ATutor, a Canadian Open Source Web-based Learning Content Management System (LCMS), has just released its latest version 1.4.3. ATutor’s trademark function is that it is designed with accessibility and adaptability in mind.
New in this release:
Forum Upgrades: System wide and shared forums for communication across courses. Create communities around groups of course forums, or around an entire ATutor course server. Alumni participation in course forums.
Subscribe to general forums or course forums, or subscribe to specific topic threads to receive messages by email. Quickly access current forum messages through the Forum Posts menu module.
Enrollment Manager Overhaul: Create, import, and export course enrollment lists, and manage enrolled students and alumni. New tabbed display for managing student information, managing course lists, managing roles and privileges, as well as creating and managing groups.
Language Overhaul: Language management has been completely re-designed. Translate, import, and export language from within your own ATutor installation. Support for the UTF-8 character set. ATutor is available in more than 30 languages.
Question Database: Create tests by adding questions to, and retrieving questions from, a test item repository.
Test/Survey Manager Upgrade: Create image based test items, arrange multiple choice questions vertically or horizontally, assign tests to a class, to groups, or to individual students, analyse test data and generate statistics.
Theme Manager: Easily copy, import, and export ATutor themes.
RSS Feeds: Syndicate ATutor course announcements to display them on remote Web sites.
Embed ACollab: Embed ACollab [collaborative workspace] into ATutor, or open it in a new window to participate in course group activities.
Easy Enrollment: Students can now enroll in courses through the Browse Courses screen.
Subscribe to general forums or course forums, or subscribe to specific topic threads to receive messages by email. Quickly access current forum messages through the Forum Posts menu module.
Enrollment Manager Overhaul: Create, import, and export course enrollment lists, and manage enrolled students and alumni. New tabbed display for managing student information, managing course lists, managing roles and privileges, as well as creating and managing groups.
Language Overhaul: Language management has been completely re-designed. Translate, import, and export language from within your own ATutor installation. Support for the UTF-8 character set. ATutor is available in more than 30 languages.
Question Database: Create tests by adding questions to, and retrieving questions from, a test item repository.
Test/Survey Manager Upgrade: Create image based test items, arrange multiple choice questions vertically or horizontally, assign tests to a class, to groups, or to individual students, analyse test data and generate statistics.
Theme Manager: Easily copy, import, and export ATutor themes.
RSS Feeds: Syndicate ATutor course announcements to display them on remote Web sites.
Embed ACollab: Embed ACollab [collaborative workspace] into ATutor, or open it in a new window to participate in course group activities.
Easy Enrollment: Students can now enroll in courses through the Browse Courses screen.
Open source learning systems, like this SCORM compliant LCMS, are steadily improving and becoming viable options for any organization, public or private.
Open Source Web-based Learning Content Management SystemTrackBack from HomeBusiness Websites:
* *ATutor 1.5.3 Released* *
ATutor 1.5.3 has been released, with many new features.
The most significant changes include the integration of the ACollab group functionality into ATutor, creating a *new group user level*, and development of a collection group level tools. ACollab users can now configure ATutor to provide most of the functionality ACollab had been providing.
Another key feature added in this release is the *File Storage* utility, a personal file manager for students, groups, and instructors. It includes an *Assignment Drop Box* extension, where students can submit assignments, and instructors can manage them. As always, new features are accessible to assistive techology users.
ATutor 1.5.3 Download
http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/download.php
ATutor 1.5.3 Demo
http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/demo.php
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* *New Features in ATutor 1.5.3* *
*Groups* : Assign students to groups, with group specific forums, file storage, blogs, links, and tests (with more group tools to come).
*File Storage* : Share files and collaborate on document authoring activities. Upload and download files within custom workspaces, and keep a record of development with file revision tracking.
*Assignment Drop-Box* : Used in combination with the File Storage utility, students can submit assignment files either individually or as a group.
*Encrypted Login* : If supported by the browser, passwords will be encrypted upon login for added security.
*Password Retrieval* : Retrieving a lost password no longer sends the password by email, but instead sends a secure link which is then used for resetting the password.
*Course Splash Page* : Instructors can create a custom splash screen for each of their courses.
*Updated Themes* : The default themes have been updated and now include a third theme (blumin) ideal for embedding ATutor in other content management systems.
*Test Question Reordering* : Test questions can now be arranged in any order.
*Group Blogs* : Groups can now maintain their own blog, as well as view other groups’ blogs. Both private and public blog postings are possible.
*Administrator Return Link* : Administrators can now easily jump between the administrator tools and courses without having to re-login each time.
*Extended Content Importing* : ATutor now preserves scripting and stylesheet information contained in the head of imported content pages and content packages, preserving display and functionality contained there. Import eXe content with all its styles and scripted utilities intact.
*Course Email Upgrade* : Send bulk email to users with different course roles, or send email to group members.
*Reading List* : Gather a detailed list of course resources, and assemble them into a Reading List.
*Course Release Date* : Set the date at which a course becomes available to students.
*Translatable Handbook* : The ATutor Handbook can now be translated and browsed in multiple languages.
*Language Manager Search* : It is now easier to find and edit existing language by searching for words or phrases.
*Administrator User Search* : Administrators can now easily search through student accounts to find a particular student, or a range of students.
*Scheduling (Cron) Utility* : Setup scripts to run automatically at specified intervals. Useful for sending auto reminders, sending emails stored in the mail queue, or running system backup scripts for example.
*Public Level Modules* : Modules can now add sections to the public and My Start Page areas.
Full List of ATutor Features
http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/index.php
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* *New Modules* *
*Marratech* :
Marratech is a collaborative Web conferencing environment. It includes real-time video with voice, plus an interactive whiteboard. With the free version of Marratech Manager up to five people can meet, talk, see each other, share documents or pictures, and make notes. See the Marratech web site ( http://marratech.com ) to find licensing details for groups larger than 5 people.
*Elluminate* :
Elluminate is a provider of live Web conferencing and eLearning solutions. Elluminate adds VoIP communications over any connection speed, offers cross-platform support, and includes advanced yet easy-to-use moderator tools for managing live online meetings. See the Elluminate web site ( http://elluminate.com ) for licensing details.
*Userplane WebChat*
This module links the Userplane Web Chat into an ATutor installation. Users can communicate with others via text chat, or by audio and/or video conferencing. This module includes a sidemenu box for quick access to Userplane from anywhere within a course, or it can be made available as a student tool. Visit the Userplane Web site ( http://www.userplane.com ) to register an account for your ATutor installation, or use the ATutor community account listed with the module.
*Student Tools* :
The Student Tools module is a simple module that allows instructors to move the Student Tool icons off the course home page, and on to their own Student Tools page.
*ATutor Modules Site*
http://atutor.ca/atutor/modules.php
*ATutor 1.6.2 Released*
ATutor 1.6.2 has been released. This is a significant release, with the addition of quite a number of new features, and further support for accessibility and interoperability standards.
*Download ATutor 1.6.2 Now*
http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/download.php
*ATutor 1.6.2 Demo*
http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/demo.php
* *New in this release* *
*IMS AccessForAll & ISO FDIS 24751 Accessibility* AccessForAll support provides authors the means to add alternate forms of content to their content packages. Learners can define in their preferences how the ATutor environment is displayed, and define which forms of content they prefer, so content adapts to individual users’ learning preferences. (Contributed in part by the Department of Computer Science at the University of Bologna)
ATutor AccessForAll Wiki Page for more details
http://wiki.atutor.ca/display/atutorwiki/ATutor+Adaptability+with+AccessForAll
*IMS QTI Test Interoperability* QTI test exporting was introduced in the previous version of ATutor, and in this version QTI test importing has been introduced, allowing test developers to backup tests, move them, or share them with others. (Contributed in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation)
ATutor QTI Wiki Page for more details
http://wiki.atutor.ca/display/atutorwiki/ATutor+Question+and+Test+Interoperability+Support
*Integrated Content Packaging* Content packaging has been upgraded (IMS CP v1.1.4), and AccessForAll content and QTI tests have been integrated with content packaging so alternate formats and tests can all be exported and imported together.(Contributed in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation)
*Gradebook Integration* The ATutor Gradebook, available as an extra module for ATutor 1.6/1.6.1 has been fully integrated into ATutor, becoming a standard module. (Contributed in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation)
*New System Preferences* Administrators can now set the local time zone offset for ATutor, and users can set their own local time zone if it differs. Administrators can turn public registration on or off, turn the student’s Unenroll feature on or off, and can turn instructor requests on or off.
*Guest Test Data Collection* Instructors can now create public, guest accessible tests, and collect data and personal information from guest submitters for review and data analysis. (Contributed in part by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine)
*Module Import/Export* All ATutor maintained extra modules are now available on update.atutor.ca, and can be imported through the ATutor Module Manager directly from the module repository. Developers can use the module Export tool to package up modules for redistribution. Modules have now been extended with a module uninstall feature, so it is no longer necessary to remove modules manually.
*Themes Import/Export* All ATutor maintained themes are now available on update.atutor.ca, and can be imported through the ATutor Theme Manager directly from the theme repository. Designers can export themes for redistribution, and submit them to the theme repository.
*Theme Designer Documentation* The ATutor Theme Designer Documentation has been integrated into the ATutor Handbook.
*Fluid Multi-File Uploader* The Fluid multi-file upload utility has been added to the ATutor File Manager so now instructors, and content authors, can upload batches of files on one step. The Fluid libraries have been upgraded to v0.5. (Contributed in part by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation)
Fluid Multi-File Uploader Wiki Page for more details:
http://wiki.fluidproject.org/display/fluid/ATutor+Integration