Open-Source in Education News

*ATutor 1.5.4 Released* ATutor 1.5.4 has now been released. Users are encouraged to upgrade their systems to take advantage of the many new features available in this release. Some of these features include: additional test question types, as well as QTI 2.1 test question exporting; batch management of student accounts and a new administrator enrolment manager; and a new DIV based theme (blumin), among many other things. *Downloads* http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/downloads.php *ATutor 1.5.4 Demo* http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/demo.php *New this ATutor Release* ATutor 1.5.4 includes many new features, some of which were made possible by contributions from the following organizations: Royal Danish Defense College Distance Education Centre Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, University of Toronto Special Needs Opportunity Windows (SNOW) Fraser Health Authority Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine *New Test Question Types*: Multiple answer, ordering, matching, and a first for any LMS, Drag-and-Drop matching question. (Sponsored by the Royal Danish Defense College Distance Education Centre) *QTI 2.1 Test Question Export*: Test questions can be exported according to the QTI 2.1 specification. This feature is primarily experimental until other systems support the new standard. *Please suggest a QTI 2.1 compliant test authoring tool if you know of one*. The Import tools will be created when we find one. (Sponsored by the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, University of Toronto) *Guest Tests*: If enabled, course guests can now take practice tests. (Sponsored by the Fraser Health Authority) *Guest Access*: Instructors can now give guest access to their private or protected courses via a secret URL. (Sponsored by the Fraser Health Authority) *Forum Post Editing*: Students can now edit their own posts within a specified number of minutes, to correct spelling mistakes etc. (Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine) *Improved User Administration*: Administrators can now batch manage user accounts, greatly improving management of large ATutor installations. (Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine) *Saved Sent Messages*: Sent messages are now saved in the sender's Sent Messages area. Messages can now be exported for archiving. (Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine) *Profile Pictures*: Users can now upload a picture to display with their profile and with forum posts. (Sponsored by the Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine) *Administrator Enrollment Manager*: Course enrolment can now be managed by administrators. (Sponsored by the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, University of Toronto) *DIV Based Themes*: A new DIV based theme is now available that removes most tables previously used to layout the ATutor interface. Provides additional accessibility for people with disabilities. (Sponsored by the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, University of Toronto) *Inherited Release Dates*: All sub pages in a content unit are now automatically set to the same release date as the parent page, rather than having to set them all manually. (Sponsored by the Special Needs Opportunity Windows: SNOW) A complete list of changes can be found through the ATutor Change Log http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/changelog.php

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

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ATutor 1.5.3 Translation

Translation of ATutor 1.5.3 is now underway. With the addition of a variety of new tools, there are about 230 new words and phrases to be translated for this release. Also in this release, the ATutor Handbook can be translated, so multiple versions of the Handbook can be maintained with each ATutor installation. Translators are encouraged to continue translating ATutor 1.5.3 now.

Those who had previously completed a translation for the early release of ATutor 1.5.3, should review the language once more and translate the few adjustments that were made.

For further details see the Translator Documentation, and login to MyATutor to find the translation tools.

*Things you Should Know Before Translating*
http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/docs/translate.php

*MyATutor Login*
http://www.atutor.ca/my/sign_in.php

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Major Contributors to this Version

Special thanks goes to the following organizations for their contributions to this version of ATutor:
Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine (NCT, http://www.telemed.no/)
Fraser Health Authority (FHA, http://www.fraserhealth.ca/)