OpenOLAT

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OpenOLAT

Openolat logo
OpenOLAT login page
Basic data

developer frentix GmbH
Publishing year 2011-2020
Current  version 15.0
(May 8, 2020)
operating system Windows , Linux , macOS
programming language Java
category Learning platform
License Apache license 2.0
www.openolat.com

OpenOlat is a web-based learning platform for teaching, learning, assessment and communication. The name stands for Open O nline L earning A nd T raining, and thus emphasizes above all the aspects of open source and online. OpenOLAT is an open source - software and is developed by frentix GmbH since 2011th OpenOlat is based on the LMS OLAT from the University of Zurich .

history

OpenOlat emerged from the open source project OLAT. In 2011, the University of Zurich started a massive refactoring project with the redesign of the entire code and switched to the version control system Mercurial . When the revisions began, access to the developers' repository was blocked for the open source community, thus preventing any influence. Since then, Open Source has been understood by OLAT developers primarily as the publication of finished code under the Apache license, without an underlying community process. For this reason, the Fork OpenOlat was initiated at the end of 2011 . OpenOlat is an alternative development to OLAT, which promotes a transparent development process with the involvement of the open source community. The initiator of this new project is frentix GmbH, a spin-off from the University of Zurich, which was founded by one of the original OLAT inventors and which offered commercial services for OLAT until 2011. Since it was founded in 2006, frentix has contributed essential functions to the OLAT code and was responsible for a large part of the bug fixing.

For commercial customers, frentix made OLATpro available until the end of 2011, which contained functions that were not available in the public release. With the change to OpenOlat, many of frentix's own functions were ported and are now also available in the OpenOlat open source release.

With version 8.2, group management has been completely revised and greatly simplified. Version 8.3 included the integration to OpenMeetings and with Version 8.4 the whole chat infrastructure was rebuilt and the performance and stability of the overall system was significantly optimized.

The JavaScript layer was re-implemented with Release 9.0. So far, the Ext JS framework has been used, which has been replaced by the lighter jQuery . In addition, a question pool for the collaborative development and exchange and the simplified reuse of exam questions was supported.

Release 10.0 brought a complete visual redesign and the change to a responsive design based on Bootstrap , which enables the use of OpenOlat on mobile devices. In addition, the learning resources area has been heavily revised and divided, and now offers learners and authors a more intuitive user interface.

Release 11.0 completely revised the test infrastructure and switched to the IMS QTI 2.1 format. Furthermore, the eAssessment was expanded on various levels. A new portfolio was also implemented.

In 2020, OpenOLAT was integrated with ONLYOFFICE's open source editors so that members could edit text documents, spreadsheets and presentations together online.

Functionality

OpenOlat offers many functionalities for learning and teaching in courses. A modular system allows many didactic methods to be used, including communication, collaboration and evaluation. The platform also provides many elements outside of the course system. Learning resources can also be made accessible to non-registered users, so-called guests. Learning content can be made available for a fee using various booking methods

OpenOlat contains many elements typical of learning management systems:

  • Learning Content Management System : Create and manage learning content with integrated HTML, IMS CP and IMS-QTI editor
  • Courseware: Course system with many course elements and finely granulated visibility and access rules
  • Personal learning environment: learning, learning control with performance certificates, note function
  • Groupware: Working in groups, collaboration tools such as wiki, forum, document storage, etc.
  • Course catalog
  • Course storage and resource folder with versioning function
  • Coaching function and logging database
  • Tests and self-tests with different types of questions, plus questionnaires
  • Task module and assignment of topics
  • WYSIWYG HTML editor
  • Office package: ONLYOFFICE for joint online processing of documents
  • Multilingualism: OpenOlat supports more than 15 languages
  • User management with individual user creation and user import
  • Roles and rights management
  • supports the common browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer)
  • Integration into existing systems via REST-API , LDAP , oAuth and Shibboleth

Course system and learning resources

The course system is the central element of an OpenOlat installation. It is divided into areas for learners and authors. Users with author rights can manage their courses and learning resources in the authoring area. Due to the many course modules of the integrated course editor, different learning and teaching scenarios can be mapped, as well as environments for cooperation and collaboration can be created. An important part of the course system are the learning resources, which can be both imported and created. With the exception of the course itself, all learning resources can be integrated into one or more courses. When a learning resource is included in a course, the corresponding resource is not copied into the course, but only referenced. If the learning resource is edited, it changes accordingly in all courses.

The following learning resources are available in OpenOlat:

  • Courses: the OpenOlat course is a container format and OpenOlat's own document type. The course allows various didactic scenarios to be mapped using the course editor, in which any number of course modules and learning resources can be integrated.
  • CP: IMS Content Package , IMS CP for short, is learning content in a standardized e-learning format. An IMS CP can either be created in its own CP editor or imported. OpenOlat supports the IMS CP version 1.1.2.
  • SCORM: Sharable Content Object Reference Model , another standardized e-learning format for learning content. Any version 1.2 SCORM module can be imported into OpenOlat.
  • Wiki , podcasts and blogs
  • Portfolio template : Portfolio templates are included in courses as portfolio tasks. In this way, learning outcomes and learning processes are documented.
  • IMS-QTI -Tests: Tests can be integrated into OpenOlat as exam tests or as self-tests. Tests in IMS QTI format can either be imported or created in the test editor.
  • Questionnaire: A questionnaire is usually used to collect data. Can be imported or created in the test editor
  • Resource folders: Resource folders are used to store documents and files that are either to be available in different courses or to be included as folders in the catalog.
  • Glossary: ​​With a glossary, explanations of terms can be displayed in the learning content without including them in the learning content itself

Testing & Assessment (eAssessment)

Tests are used in OpenOlat to test learners or to prepare for exams. With the help of the course editor, the presentation and editing options of the tests are adjusted. Tests are imported or created with the QTI test editor. OpenOlat supports the IMS-QTI format in version 2.1 and 1.2. The questionnaire is suitable for surveys and data collection. Tests and questionnaires can be evaluated using the assessment tool and the archiving tool.

  • different test types: test, self-test, questionnaire
  • Different question types: multiple choice , single choice, fill in the blank test , Kprim, free text, matrix, assignment with drag & drop, hot text, hotspot, uploading documents and drawing
  • Test questions: pool of questions and randomized order; Feedback settings
  • Processing options can be set: processing time, allowed attempts, notes function; Allow abort or interruption
  • Time limit can be set
  • Display options in the course: full screen, menu navigation on / off, question display, results display
  • Evaluation of results per test and per user including export
  • Graphic test evaluation with key figures and bar charts

Exam mode

The exam mode in OpenOlat is a course functionality that enables tests or exams with entire courses to be carried out in protected mode during a specified time. Tests can be restricted to certain user groups. The security of the exam can be increased by restricting IP addresses. The exam can be carried out in kiosk mode if the Safe Exam Browser must be used for the exam.

Pool of questions

The question pool in OpenOlat is a database of individual test questions, so-called items, which are usually in QTI format. Each item contains all associated information and metadata , which are recorded and compiled according to the Learning Objects Metadata . Items are exported in groups from the question pool and made available as an OpenOlat test learning resource. Each item contains not only the question and the corresponding answers, but also information on e.g. B. Author, creation date, keywords, but also characteristic values ​​for item analysis can be added. Items can either be imported as learning resources or external XML files, or created directly in the question pool. Approvals in groups or pools allow test authors to work collaboratively on items and tests.

  • Test-independent question creation
  • different question types: multiple choice , single choice, fill in the blank test , Kprim, free text, matrix, assignment with drag & drop, hot text, hotspot, uploading documents and drawing; Question types can be created in the question pool administration
  • Reusability of individual questions
  • Import and export of tests

Support, collaboration & communication

OpenOlat allows specific course, group and user support through the assignment of roles and rights as well as the groups. Social tools such as blogs, forums, wikis, podcasts and the file discussion, mail and chat enable communication and collaborative collaboration between OpenOlat users. Groups can also be used for project work independently of courses and, depending on the configuration, can also be created and used by the learners. Since the 8.2 release, a distinction is no longer made between course-related learning groups and course-independent working groups. Classes with several course assignments can also be mapped with the groups.

care, support

Role assignments in groups and courses allow participants to be assigned to owners (course) or supervisors (group and course), who then have access to the assessment tool and the performance records. While owners always have full access to all administrative tools of the resource, including member management, supervisors only have somewhat restricted access after the learning resource has been published

  • Coaching tool: Supervisors get an overview of all users assigned to them as well as access to their performance records in one tool.
  • Learning resources view: Supervised courses
  • Assessment tool: this is used to assess and evaluate course participants. All course elements that can be assessed (test, SCORM, task, assessment, portfolio task, checklists) can be assessed manually here.
  • Enrollment: With the help of the course element Enrollment, the number of participants in a course can be restricted, with and without a waiting list
  • Subscription function for new articles e.g. B. in wikis, ePortfolio, file discussion, blogs
  • Statistics tool

cooperation

In addition to the group system with the optional link to one or more courses, various course modules are available within the courses that allow collaborative collaboration.

  • Groups with different tools: information, e-mail, group calendar, folders, group chat, wiki, virtual room and ePortfolio
  • Course modules Wiki , forum , virtual rooms (vitero, OpenMeetings and virtual classrooms) and assignment of topics
  • Buddy List - Display of online contacts from groups
  • File versioning

communication

In addition to the integrated mail system, further communication functions are available for establishing contact:

  • Chat - OpenOlat, course and group, with buddy list
  • Subscription function for new articles e.g. B. in forums, wikis, blog , folders and calendars
  • Course elements vitero virtual team room (commercial add-on software), Virtual Classroom , open meetings and list of participants as a gallery

Personal learning environment

OpenOlat enables user-specific presentation of courses and the learning platform itself through role and group assignments, the application of visibility and access rules and the curricular use of the learning resource catalog. The OpenOlat portal is the user-personalizable entry page into the LMS.

Learn

Courses and assignments can vary in appearance, content and e.g. B. delivery dates can be adapted to the individual user. Visibility and access rules allow access to course elements to be made time-dependent, group-dependent or assessment-dependent. Using expert rules, finely granulated access and visibility rules for courses and each individual course element can be created.

  • Submission date from z. B. Portfolio abandonment depending on the first opening of a course
  • enrollment
  • Proof of achievement
  • Course calendar for the administration of course-specific dates
  • Notification module to create notifications for course-relevant events and topics, with automatic subscription
  • Face-to-face teaching possible through virtual rooms, does not require the participants' access code
  • Note function in courses
  • Curriculum: List of courses in the catalog

personalization

Portal page

Individual pages or courses can be configured as the start page for different user groups. Users can be grouped according to roles or attributes, such as subject or institution. In addition, each user has the option of freely choosing their personal start page. Further personalization is possible through personal tools and settings. These are located in the fold-out personal menu.

  • Configuration: Edit personal profile and public profile (business card) (including picture), system settings such as B. Define language and font size, change password, define chat settings, e.g. B. Visibility
  • personal calendar, into the OpenOlat internal and external calendar such as B. Google or Outlook calendar can be imported
  • Subscription management for all OpenOlat subscriptions. Can be displayed as an RSS feed in popular news readers
  • OpenOlat bookmarks
  • collected notes from courses
  • Display of all performance records
  • Mailbox
  • ePortfolio module: Portfolio tasks from courses and private portfolio folders are processed and managed here. Activated portfolios of other users are also viewed and commented on here

Authoring - course editor, CP editor, test editor

Course elements, editor view

OpenOlat has its own author area in which courses, learning resources and course components are created in order to compile e-learning courses from them. This area is used to easily manage all courses and learning resources. Courses have a course editor in which course-specific learning resources can be created and configured. Courses are imported in zip format from one OpenOlat instance to the next.

  • Course wizard
  • Course-specific layout, including picture
  • Supported e-learning standards: IMS Content Packaging, IMS QTI, SCORM
  • Links to course elements, library and external sources
  • Metadata and versioning
  • Finely adjustable visibility and access rules per course element as well as access groups and methods at course level
  • Glossary integration
  • Integration of media files (video, picture and sound) via WYSIWYG editor
  • Editing of documents, tables and presentations in ONLYOFFICE
  • Publish: Changes to a course are only visible when they have also been published. Each course element can be published individually as desired
  • Course preview: a course can be checked with various settings before it is published

Integrated IMS-CP and QTI editors

OpenOlat has its own content packaging and test editors with which IMS content packages and QTI tests can be created. CPs and tests created in this way can be exported from OpenOlat and used in other LMS that also support the standard formats IMS CP or IMS QTI.

System administration functions

Administration environment

System administrators manage OpenOlat via the Administration tab. There, among other things, the language selection is made, the layout is adjusted and the quota and version management is carried out.

  • Payment with PayPal payment
  • Connection and integration via REST API
  • Authentication options: LDAP and Shibboleth
  • Automatic password sending
  • Translation tool to translate OpenOlat into new languages ​​or to adapt existing languages
  • Self-registration, access control and PayPal configuration
  • Table configuration
  • User administration: create, import, adapt and delete users; Adjust data from several users at the same time with the mass change
  • Group management - set up and manage cross-course groups
  • Logging: Everything can be logged and checked
  • System monitoring: Active monitoring of system availability and measurement of key performance indicators

fx plugins

In addition to the functionalities contained in the public release and exclusively on frentix customer installations, the following functions are also available. Some of these have already been discussed in the previous text.

  • Payment: Enables paid access to courses and work groups. Payment options are PayPal or credit card payments.
  • Library: Regardless of the learning resource system, documents can be published in the library. These are then available to all OpenOlat users.
  • Member page: A list of all registered users, also usable for users who are not user administrators.
  • Course database: Further settings and data of a course can be saved and edited via the REST API.
  • Admin consoles: Various GUIs to simplify administration.
  • QTI test statistics: Tests, self-tests and questionnaires integrated into courses can be statistically evaluated.

Awards

  • Open Source Award 2011 in the "Business Case" category
  • eLearning Award of the E-Learning Journal 2012 in the "Open Source" category
  • Test of the e-learning journal 2012 in the category learning management system. Test grade 1.5
  • eLearning Award of the E-Learning Journal 2013 in the "Open Source" category
  • eLearning Journal Test 2015 category learning management systems. OpenOlat 10.3 achieved test grade "Very good".

specification

OpenOlat is written in Java on the basis of the Java servlet interface and thus runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, usually in a Tomcat installation. The LMS is developed and sold under an Apache 2.0 open source license . OpenOlat supports UTF-8 and common database systems like MySQL or Postgres. For the security of all user and course-specific data, OpenOlat is protected by SSL encryption.

OpenOlat has historically used its own component-based MVC application framework. Hibernate is used for the database abstraction, Spring for the configuration , Maven for the build process and Mercurial as the code management system. The user interface is implemented in HTML / CSS / JavaScript, with an Ajax mechanism only updating those areas of the screen that have actually changed.

Because of the young age of the LMS, there is as yet no independent third party literature on the system. Due to the split from LMS OLAT, however, its literature can be used for basic things. Since OpenOlat is based on OLAT 7.1, literature that was created before the fork can also be regarded as at least partially valid for OpenOlat.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c frentix starts Open Source Initiative: OpenOLAT ( Memento from August 22, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Blog entry from December 12, 2012. Retrieved on December 19, 2014.
  2. ↑ How to edit documents in OpenOlat with ONLYOFFICE. Retrieved June 3, 2020 (American English, Onlyoffice Blog).
  3. ↑ OpenOLAT User Manual, p. 24 OpenOLAT project page. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  4. ↑ Safe Exam Browser. Retrieved September 16, 2019 .
  5. ↑ OpenSource LMS OpenOLAT 8.2 released press release of November 27, 2012. Accessed on January 23, 2013
  6. ↑ OpenOLAT installation: Information in the member administration of a course. Only accessible after login and with the appropriate rights.
  7. ↑ Open Source LMS OpenOLAT 8.3 released press release of January 21, 2013. Accessed January 23, 2013
  8. ↑ ossawards.ch ( Memento from November 5, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Retrieved on June 4, 2012
  9. ↑ E-learning journal ( Memento of the original from January 4, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. E-Learning Award Archive. Retrieved June 4, 2012. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.elearning-journal.de
  10. ↑ frentix.com
  11. ↑ E-learning journal ( Memento of the original from January 4, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. E-learning award. Retrieved February 4, 2014. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.elearning-journal.de
  12. ↑ openolat.com