Use of Xerte Toolkits to repurpose CAL materials
Andy Meal & Heather Wharrad
BackgroundSet of CAL packages written 10 - 15 years ago using
Authorware.
14 CAL packages – cell biology for nursing degree students
Originally only delivered via University intranet Authorware plug in has allowed some availability on internet
up to 2 hours student learning each
Still used on undergraduate Masters nursing course
Wharrad, Kent, Allcock & Wood, (2000)
WorkshopCAL
Early lessons (students)………
‘Can do it at own pace and in your own time- can go back if unclear about anything, good for revision.’(cohort 1997)
‘CAL good presentation as lectures took a long time and concentration is lost.’(cohort 1995)
‘It’s hard staring at a screen for so long’(cohort 1997) ‘CAL packages in moderation are good because you
have to find the answers yourself.’(cohort 1997)
Flexibility, in moderation, short, interactive, self-directed, not totally replacing FTF
Early lessons (lecturers)Developing large packages – time, cost, updating
Wanted to use some elements of CAL (diversity - range of courses; types of students; specialisms)
Based on educational need not technology led (areas of difficulty - maths; science; statistics)
Added value (visualisation of scientific processes; linking theory to clinical practice)
Repurposing projectNeeded updating, and re-packaging due to
impending obsolescence of Authorware locally
make the material more widely available/reusable
Students prefer small chunks; more portable/flexible
University learning team repurposing other university CAL materials
Xerte ToolkitsPart of Xerte Project - University learning team
Open source
set of templates that are accessible via a web browser
Lecturer works with learning team developer to design and produce a template
Template from this project available for others
Allows for integration of text, graphics and sound. Various interactivity templates e.g quizzes
Once template produced requires little technical or programming knowledge.
ProcessUses a simple form to populate and
customise the templateCopy and paste material into the form –
always available for editing (fits in with lecturers busy schedule )
Results are rapid: previews can be seen immediately after changes are made.
simple graphics can be produced in the toolkits, but best results are from imported graphics then add labels
Animations, sound and video are supported.
Demo of toolkit templates
Advantages
Rapid
Easy to use
Use existing materials
Accessible via a web browser. Simple interface.
Rigid nature of the templates ensures some consistency in design?
Minimal technologist input required?
Disadvantages
Early teething problems, due to the rigidity of the templates
More complex animations require developer
unusual or bespoke presentations or interactivity require specialist help.
Currently some incompatibility with Flash versions
Inflexible in some areas eg italics, bulleted lists, have to be generated by adding html commands.
In short...
If you work within its parameters Xerte template offers a quick and easy authoring environment for non-technicians.
Student feedback required to determine satisfaction with design and effectiveness overall
Xerte toolkit potentially very useful – needs more templates
Download from http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/xerte/
Acknowledgements: University of Nottingham Learning Team
