Well, now that your philosophy and objectives are clearer, all that I
can point out is that openoffice includes html composing, spreadsheet,
presentation, word processing and graphics, in other words it is really
a multimedia tool, one of which is decidedly word processing, where all
product is in standard W3C xml/html format. So to brand it strictly as
a word processor is a misnomer. Right now it allows you to create any
kind of branching multimedia document and directly place it in a
structured long distance learning environment, such as Ilias. It also
allows you to change your document automatically into .pdf format, thus
ensuring the ability to download, and review offline. This solution
works now. Ilias, by the way, is SCORM 1.2 and AICC compliant, GPLed,
it is a totally web-based server solution.
The wiki idea of working online authoring pedagogically correct
instructional devices is both intrigueing and seductive. Naturally
there is always a controversy between form and content. I prefer to
produce offline, from a storyboard, then upload online. Yes, it may
take a little fiddling to get the appearance just right, but that is
not a major thing. Perhaps the eXe could be integrated with W3C's own
browser, which is totally without license restrctions and includes an
editor. I am also able to compose html documents in Mozilla. Is there
really a need for another standaloe product?
Wayne Mackintosh wrote:
Hi Michael (& friends)
The openoffice add-in alternative is
a very good suggestion. A suggestion -- which I must admit -- we have
thought about and discussed at great length. Particularly since
Openoffice is a native XML technology. I'd be interested to here the
views of the forum regarding the advantages & disadvantages of
going down the Openoffice route as opposed to our current thinking of
developing an e-learning authoring environment that runs in a
web-browser (see eXe project at: http://eduforge.org/wiki/wiki/exe/?pagename=HomePage).
I suppose that we have taken a
philosophical stance of preferring a web-based solution. By forcing
ourselves to work in a native web environment keeps us honest
<smile>, particularly since the outputs of eXe must be published
and delivered as (X)HTML within W3C standards.
We think that there is a difference
between word-processing and authoring of learning content for the web.
We are focused on the development and implementation of "instructional
devices" (http://eduforge.org/wiki/wiki/exe/wiki?pagename=Describing%20an%20Idevice)
within the framework of evolving specifications and standards for
interoperability in e-learning. Word processing technologies were not
designed for this purpose.
Nonetheless, I would be keen to hear
the views of the group whether technologies primarily designed for word
processing should be used as the foundation for authoring web-based,
e-learning content. That said, nothing stops the OSS development
community from developing an Openoffice add-in, building on the ideas
underpinning the eXe project. Are there any developers out there that
would like to take on the development of an Openoffice add-in to
achieve the vision of the eXe idea? Personally I'd like to see this
alternative made available as an e-learning authoring tool. The
University of Oxford have used a wordprocessing technology to assist
with the authoring of e-learning content for the Web (see: http://eduforge.org/wiki/wiki/exe/wiki?pagename=Case%20study%20on%20using%20XML)
but it has the disadvantage that users cannot see what their content
will look like when it is published on the web.
Ultimately our decision was directed
by the pragmatics of the open standard philosophy - There are more
web-browsers (both proprietary & OS) out there than Openoffice
installations. Going the web-based route would increase potential
access and uptake of eXe as a technology because it is agnostic with
regards to the browser technology used on individual desktops. With
eXe, we have the added advantage of being able to package the
technology with an OSS browser - hopefully providing greater access to
the potential of eXe.
Keen to hear your thoughts.
Wayne
____________________________________
Associate Professor Wayne Mackintosh
Director
Centre for Flexible and Distance Learning
University of Auckland
New Zealand
http://cfdl.auckland.ac.nz
----- Original Message -----
Sent:
Wednesday, December 08, 2004 11:34 AM
Subject:
Re: [IIEP] FOSS authoring tool for e-learning - eXe project
why not implement it as an openoffice.org add-in tool. Openoffice is
pure xml already, and this should speed up implementation.
Martin Claude wrote:
Hi Wayne,
More comments...
1) the off-line idea is interesting and we use it as we are working
with educational and training institutions all around the world, with a
majority in developing countries. We developed a GPL licensed Newsgroup
client dedicated to distance learning. It is now integrated with a
broader educational communication platform allowing inclusion of
off-line with on-line users. But I prefer your new solution.
2) IMS Reusable Definition of Competency or Educational Objective
(RDCEO) is not very fashionable, but it is existing... and competency
based training is one important option in many countries in Europe,
Asia and Latin America.
3) Untill now many people got interest in the different IMS
specifications but as far as I know no one tried to implement it in an
XML editing tool. I think that this should be very helpfull to make
instructional design more consistent. first because it will allow to
link competency definition to learning objective (that is not clear in
many authors mind): Second it will make this definition work reusable.
4) I'm sorry to disappoint you but I've no experience in IMS-RDCEO
implementation or use. I've only a very interesting experience in
competency definition in the area of Learning Programme implementation.
I would love to make it reusable.
5) I know your concern about behaviourim and constructivism but I think
that this debate is not connected to the fact that it is anyway good to
define and make clear what the learner must be able to do to be
competent (in terms of knowledge, aptitude and attitude) and what are
the learning objectives of a "Unit of Learning". What happens in
between may be behaviourist or constructivist no matter at this point.
This will be more important for the author when using eXe iDevices to
design Learning Objects and Learning Sequences, Activities,
Assignments, Assessments...
6) About translation in French I will be able to find a solution
7) The IMS-QTI/SCORM compliant
"MCQ type iDevice" for assessment design is interesting. Waiting for
the example. The fact that eXe is provided with a localhost web server
is perhaps offering interaction opportunities for feedback to the
off-line learner. In the perspective of tracking learner result that
can also be collected at a distance during short time Internet
connection for central tracking record and follow-up.
I dont know if these few remarks will be helpfull...
Claude Martin
Claude Martin
Senior Learning Technology Specialist
Programme for Distance Education &
Learning Technologies Applications
International Training Centre of the ILO
Viale Maestri del Lavoro, 10
10127 Torino (Italy)
tel.: (+39) 011 693 6316
fax: (+39) 011 693 6469
c.martin@itcilo.org
http://www.itcilo.org/
ELEARN-OPENSOURCE <ELEARN-OPENSOURCE@LST.IIEP-UNESCO.ORG>
wrote on 03/12/2004 22.58.51:
> Hi Claude - sorry about the mix up with first names. Will chat
soon.
> Wayne
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Martin Claude
> To: ELEARN-OPENSOURCE@LST.IIEP-UNESCO.ORG
> Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2004 3:03 AM
> Subject: Re: [IIEP] FOSS authoring tool
for e-learning - eXe project
>
>
> Hi Wayne,
>
> by the way my first name is Claude
>
> > Hi Martin and friends,
>
> Thanks for your nice comments on my last posting about eXe
>
> > First off - can I have permission to copy your thoughts and
insights
> > onto the eXe project on Eduforge.
>
> Yes you can copy and publish what you like on Eduforge
>
> > (Sorry - eXe is my passion <smile>).
>
> Dont feel sorry your project is great and I understand why it is
your passion
> I would feel the same in your position
>
> > We are very excited about the project --
>
> I'm also quite enthousiastic about it
>
> >I think that eXe fills an
> > interesting gap in the suite of available technologies in the
FOSS
> > for elearning landscape.
>
> This is perfectly true you found one of the missing links
>
> > Thanks also for your offer to introduce the
> > technology at your "Learning Media Design" workshops . That
would
> > be fantastic because we are looking for constructive feedback
from
> > potential users to make sure that we end up with something
that many
> > folk will use.
>
> Please just let me know when something will be available for
download and test
> My Workshops will start in April, untill July there will be 4
> But I need to know to test and design the workshop in advance
>
> > Martin - I'd like to extend a personal invitation for you
(and
> > everyone else of course) to join the project @ http://eduforge.
> > org/projects/exe/. Your experience and foresight in this area
will
> > add considerable value to our project. We need your inputs
and thoughts.
>
> OK I will register and try to be active if I feel that I can
>
> I will reply to the rest of your message later, there is very
> interesting ideas to discuss
>
> All the best
>
> Claude Martin
> Senior Learning Technology Specialist
> Programme for Distance Education &
> Learning Technologies Applications
> International Training Centre of the ILO
> Viale Maestri del Lavoro, 10
> 10127 Torino (Italy)
> tel.: (+39) 011 693 6316
> fax: (+39) 011 693 6469
> c.martin@itcilo.org
> http://www.itcilo.org/
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