6.4. Storage and Learning Resources

In OLAT the term 'learning resource' means on the one hand 'storage' (function area in OLAT) and on the other hand each single learning resource stored within (single documents, files or other material that supports learning and teaching).

6.4.1. How can I profit by using learning resources (storage)?

Learning resources is a means to store documents. Imagine a closet. There are two keys to open this closet: a general one and a special one. Depending on the key you chose you get a different view of the closet's content. Turning to learning resources again, the general key represents the access for all registered OLAT users whereas the special key means access for authors only.

6.4.1.1. How do I get access to learning resources?

There are two possibilities:

  • The general access for OLAT users is automatically open to everyone registering on OLAT.

  • In order to get an author's access you have to register first before applying for author rights. We will appoint you author.

6.4.2. What is a single learning resource (document)?

Within learning resources (storage) you can store single documents that are also called learning resources. These documents are similar to those kept inside a box in a closet. That box contains documents as well as further information (title, author, description), the so-called meta data. You as owner of the box can decide who gets access to the content of that box and what actions can be taken regarding those documents (e.g. delete the whole box, edit a document, etc.).

6.4.3. What types of single learning resources (documents) are there?

Everything dealing with learning and teaching can be a learning resource. You are the one to determine the content of your learning resource.

You can store five different types of documents in learning resources (storage folder):

  • Course (special document type in OLAT)

  • Test (standard document type in accordance with IMS-QTI, *.zip)

  • Questionnaire (standard document type in accordance with IMS-QTI, *.zip)

  • CP learning content (standard document type in accordance with IMS-CP, version 1.1.2 *.zip)

  • SCORM learning content (standard document type in accordance with SCORM, version 1.2 *.zip)

  • Resource folder (storage folder in OLAT; may contain different types of files)

  • Other files (files of different format. Text: *.html, *.txt, *.doc; tables: *.xls; presentations: e.g. *.ppt but also PDF: *.pdf; movie: e.g. *.mov; music: e.g. *.mp3; pics: e.g. *.gif, *.jpg; animation: e.g. *.swf)

    You can put these files at other OLAT users' disposal by means of learning resources. However, those files cannot be included in a course nor transferred to other folders within OLAT.

The following sections will give further detail of the types mentioned above.

6.4.3.1. A Course as Learning Resource

A course as learning resource is e.g. your lecture or seminar put into practice by using OLAT. Your course can contain CP learning resources (see below), tests, self-tests, as well as questionnaires you have stored in learning resources (in the storage folder). Your resource folder can be linked to the course's storage folder in order to get access to its contents (detailed view of your course, "Modify settings"). You create your course by means of the OLAT course editor (have a look at Detailed Knowledge in Order to Produce a Course). That course will then represent a special OLAT document type. OLAT courses can be either exported or imported.

Within a course there are additional tools to administer your course: group management, rights management, assessment tool, data archiving (have a look at Operating a Course).

Anmerkung

Attention--Problem: My students cannot see my course: Check if "Access for all OLAT users" is activated (detailed view of your course). (You have the possibility to further limit the access to single contents for certain groups and/or for a certain time in the course editor. See Detailed Knowledge in Order to Produce a Course.)

6.4.3.2. Test as Learning Resource

The learning resource "Test" is a document based on the IMS-QTI Standard (Instructional Management Systems - Question and Test Interoperability; version 1.2, at the time being). You have the option to pre-set questions as well as answers. This learning resource is suitable for preparing tests, self-tests, and exams.

The IMS-QTI format makes sure that you can use this test with any other compatible Learning Management System (version 1.2).

You can create an IMS-QTI test document with the OLAT test editor (see section Test, Self-test, Questionnaire) or any other appropriate external editor. Within learning resources (storage folder) there is no difference between test or self-test. Therefore, you have the possibility to use the same test document for both in one or more courses (for further information see section "Course elements test and self-test").

Each test document that is not used in a course can be put at the students' disposal as self-test in learning resources (storage folder). In this case, however, no results will be saved.

6.4.3.3. Questionnaire as Learning Resource

The learning resource "Questionnaire" is a document based on IMS-QTI Standard (Instructional Management Systems - Question and Test Interoperability; version 1.2, at the time being). It allows pre-set questions and answers. This learning resource is suitable for online opinion polls and evaluations.

This IMS-QTI format makes sure that you can use your questionnaire with any other compatible Learning Management System (version 1.2).

You can create an IMS-QTI questionnaire document by means of the OLAT questionnaire editor (see section Test, Self-test, Questionnaire) or any other appropriate editor. Questionnaires stored in learning resources (storage folder) are accessible during your course or directly in learning resources by means of your access control.

6.4.3.4. CP Learning Content as Learning Resource

The CP learning content is e.g. an enclosed script or a learning module. CP means "Content Packaging", a learning resource saved in standard format in accordance with IMS-CP specifications (Instructional Management Systems). This IMS-CP format makes sure that you can use your learning content with any other Learning Management System based on IMS-CP format. You can generate your CP learning content with any editor before saving it in CP format (version 1.1.2). For further information have a look at section Learning Content.

You are able to insert a CP learning content stored in learning resources into one or more courses (see Detailed Knowledge in Order to Produce a Course) or provide it with different access rights so that your users can download this CP learning content directly to learning resources (storage folder) before working on it outside the course.

Your CP learning content may contain text as well as pics, animation, movies, etc. Only PHP, JSP and a link between two CP learning contents is not allowed.

6.4.3.5. SCORM Learning Content as Learning Resource

The SCORM learning content as learning resource is e.g. an enclosed script or learning module. SCORM means Sharable Courseware Object Reference Model, an E-Learning standard format. This SCORM format makes sure that you can use your learning content with any other Learning Management System supporting SCORM format. You can generate a SCORM learning format with any editor before saving it in SCORM format (version 1.2).

A SCORM learning content stored in learning resources can be inserted in a course (see Detailed Knowledge in Order to Produce a Course) or be provided with different access rights so that users can download that SCORM learning content to learning resources (storage folder) before working on it outside the course.

6.4.3.6. Resource Folder as Learning Resource

You will need a resource folder if you want to use the same files (e.g. HTML or CSS files) in more than one course. Any number of resource folders can be created in learning resources (storage folder). Resource folders can be accessed by one ore more courses (via the detailed view of your course, "Modify settings", then select your resource folder).

6.4.3.7. Other Files as Learning Resources

In learning resources you can also store documents created outside of OLAT (e.g. PowerPoint, PDF, HTML files, pics, movies, animation, music) and provide them with different access rights. These files may be put at other OLAT users' disposal if you extend the access rights accordingly.

However, these files in learning resources cannot be part of a course.

6.4.4. What can an author do with learning resources (storage folder)?

Learning resources are meant primarily as storage folder or as management tool for single learning resources. In addition, you can add further learning resources, create new learning resources, and activate the course editor or the test/questionnaire editor, respectively.

6.4.4.1. Adding a Learning Resource

A learning resource already existing can be stored in learning resources (storage folder) either from your local PC of from your personal folder in OLAT.

For this purpose, please select "Add" in the box on the right (menu) as well as the resource`s type you want to add and follow the instructions. If you want to add a course you will be asked, e.g., what should be done with the learning resources linked to that course.

The upload limit per learning resource is 200 MB. If your learning resource exceeds this limit please contact your OLAT administration in order to get more space.

6.4.4.2. Creating a Single Learning Resource within OLAT

At the time being, you can create your course by means of the OLAT course editor (in OLAT format) as well as your tests and questionnaires (in IMS-QTI format 1.2) (see sections Detailed Knowledge in Order to Produce a Course and Test, Self-test, Questionnaire). In addition, you can open your own resource folders.

6.4.5. What editors can be opened within learning resources (storage folder)?

In learning resources (storage folder) of OLAT a course editor is at your disposal as well as a test editor, a questionnaire editor, and an editor for your resource folders.

Course editor: by means of this editor you can create a new course (in OLAT format) as well as edit a course already existing.

Test/questionnaire editor: this OLAT editor enables you to produce tests, self-tests, and questionnaires in IMS-QTI format (version 1.2). Additionaly, you can edit tests, etc., already existing.

Resource folder editor: this editor helps you to add files to your resource folder as well as to create sub-folders.

6.4.6. What can I do with those single learning resources?

In learning resources (storage folder) you can either open single learning resources (or get information on a single resource) or select a learning resource and perform different operations depending on the one hand on your access rights and on the other hand on that single learning resource`s type.

6.4.6.1. Determining the Access to Learning Resources

You (being the author and owner of a learning resource) can determine the access rights to your learning resource via the detailed view (information on entry). On the one hand, you can extend the access rights in "Access have"; on the other hand you can appoint new owners having automatically the same rights as the author (action box "Learning resource" / "Appoint owner").

6.4.6.1.1. Who can access your single learning resource?

Basically, there are 4 categories of persons with access rights:

  • Only owners of learning resources

  • Owners and other OLAR authors

  • All registered OLAT users

  • Registered OLAT users and guests

Only owners have access to a learning resource: The smallest circle of people having access rights consists of the author and owner of a learning resource as well as of other appointed owners. All owners have got the same rights as the author of a learning resource, that is, they can edit, copy, delete that resource or grant other users further rights.

Access have owners and all other OLAT authors:This means that in addition to the owners of a learning resource all other OLAT authors can perform certain operations regarding that learning resource. Other authors only have limited access rights to that resource; they can neither edit nor delete it nor can they appoint new owners.

Access have all registered OLAT users: This means that in addition to owners and authors all other registered OLAT users can search for that learning resource and have a look at it. Copy and paste will only be possible if you or another owner allows this operation.

Access have all registered OLAT users and guests: In this case in addition to owners, authors, and registered users also guests can search for that learning resource. Display and download will only be possible if you or any other owner allows that operation.

6.4.6.1.2. Who can appoint other owners?

Being the author and creator of a learning resource you can make any person registered in OLAT owner of your learning resource. This means that this OLAT user will have the same rights to your learning resource. Furthermore, these appointed OLAT owners can grant other users owner rights.

6.4.6.2. Display of a Learning Resource

Display of a learning resource: Depending on its format you will be able to run that learning resource right away or have a first look at it (e.g. at an OLAT course); if not, you have to download it first in order to get a glimpse of its content (e.g. PDF files).

As owner of a learning resource that is apt to be displayed in OLAT you can determine if the learning resource`s content should be shown to others. This setting is available in learning resources (detailed view/"Performance possible").

6.4.6.3. The Editing of Meta Data

OLAT meta data are the following: ID, title, author, and description of a learning resource. These meta data will be visible in the detailed view of learning resources. The resource`s title as well as its description can be modified.

The detailed view will provide you with general information on that learning resource, as well as on its external direct link. The author and/or owner of that learning resource will get further information: a list indicating its owners, the resource's purpose as well as its settings.

6.4.6.4. Copy

By means of "Copy" you will be able to copy learning resources. As owner of a learning resource you can determine (in the detailed view) if your learning resource may be copied by other OLAT authors.

Example: You want to re-use your course from last semester. Therefore, you copy that course and edit it for the next semester.

Attention: User data cannot be copied at the same time!

6.4.6.5. Delete

In general, all owners of a learning resource will be able to delete it.

A single learning resource can only be deleted if that resource is not currently in use.

Example 1: You want to delete a test that is part of a course. You will get the information that there are references still active on that learning resource (in this case your test) within OLAT. First, you have to delete those references (e.g. a test element of a course) in order to be able to delete the whole test.

Example 2: You want to delete a course containing tests with user data and CP learning contents. Your course will be deleted, however, its learning resources (test and CP learning content) will not; those resources will be stored in your personal folder in Excel format.

6.4.6.6. Export

As owner you can determine (detailed view) if your learning resource may be exported.

6.4.6.7. Setting a Bookmark on a Learning Resource

You can set a bookmark in the detailed view of OLAT in order to easily find your learning resource. That bookmarked resource will be displayed on your OLAT "Home" page.