SUVRAT KOTIA

eLearning technologies

eLearning technologies has some terminologies such as LMS and CMS. Those who are not familiar with this are always wonder what they are?

If we are creating a web based course on a subject, than make sure that it will divided into lessons, modules, exercises, activities. And upload it into LMS, after that LMS will handle all functionality such as module delivery, assessment, bookmarking etc. Let’s understand what is LMS and CMS in brief.

Learning Management System (LMS), a software package that handles the deployment of electronic courses, but administering them to students, and allowing instructors to view score and other course-related data.

Content Management System (CMS), a software package that allows the creation and translation of course material in various software formats and allows such content to be configured and stored appropriately within the system.

For CBT/WBTs there is the set of standards which are the oldest one, known as AICC (Aviation Industry CBT Committee). While creating CBT/WBT (Computer based training and Web based training) one should follow this AICC standard for better course delivery. More details about AICC will be found on http://www.aicc.org link. A good LMS always support AICC standards. For this LMS get a certificate for AICC compatibility. An LMS may be formally defined as a software package used to plan, organise, implement and monitor aspects of the learning process. Popular LMS ‘s are Blackboard, WeCT, Pathlore, Docent, Saba and Moodle. Popular CMS’s are WordPress, Joomla and Drupal etc.

During development of web-based learning materials SCORM standard are also very useful. The Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) is a collection of specifications and standard adapted from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive suite of e-learning capabilities that enable interoperability, accessibility and reuse of Web-based learning content. SCORM is built on the work of AICC, IMS Global Learning Consortium, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Alliance for Remote Instructional Authoring and Distribution Networks for Europe (ARIADNE) and Department of Defense (DoD) high level requirements for Web-based learning content.

SCORM has different versions as SCORM 1.1, SCORM 1.2, and SCORM 2004, latest is SCORM 2004(fourth edition). SCORM Version 1.2 has two parts: Run-Time Environment (RTE) and Content Aggregation Model (CAM). During recent development a third part is also included which is the Sequencing and Navigation model. Sequencing is a set of rules that specifies the order in which a learner may experience content objects. In simple terms, they bookmark their progress, set their paths and acceptability of test scores achieved by the learner. The Content Aggregation model is further divided into three parts: the Content Model, the Meta-data and Content Packaging.  The Content Model defines the concept of Sharable Content Objects (SCOs) and Assets. Asset is electronic representation of media, text, images, sound, web pages, assessment objects or other pieces of data. And SCO is a collection of one or more assets.

Before deploying any learning content on LMS we need to check whether that is SCORM conformant or not? What it means? SCORM conformant means that an author or vendor has tested the content or LMS using the Conformance Test Suite software developed by ADL. For more information please refer www.adlnet.gov

Flash ActionScript – getURL and JavaScript in AS3

After a long time I am writing something…during my project I found out something interesting in Flash and JavaScript function. This will be useful for people with basic knowledge in Actionscript. So let’s discuss it here.

First we will discuss about the difference between AS2 and AS3 script on Flash button. Previously in AS2 it’s very easy to write script on Flash button.

AS2 script on Flash button:

on(release){
//Write your action
trace(“Button has been pressed”);
}

And function should be like this (this should be placed on the keyframe of timeline (make actionscript layer) :

function myFunction(){ //Write your action trace(“Hello”); //write trace option }

Above example was quiet easy with AS2, now let’s see same example with AS3:

Important point to remember is that in AS3 you can’t write script on button. Just write it on keyframe in timeline (make actionscript layer). And give instance name to your button e.g. HelloButton. Now write the button script on keyframe of timeline:

AS3 script for Flash button:

HelloButton.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, myFunction);

Here, we have use button name i.e. HelloButton. And a function i.e. myFunction

In AS3 function is written as:

function myFunction (event:MouseEvent):void{  trace("Hello"); }

In above function, remember to add event:MouseEvent and :void as compare to AS2, which tells that on which mouse event this function should execute.

on(release){

 //getURL("http://www.google.com", _blank);

 }

<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/>

Now learn something interesting, capture Flash button event in Javascript of HTML page. Check AS2 and AS3 versions:

AS2 version:

on(release){

 getURL("javascript:myfunction()"); 

}

In HTML, where you are going to run this Flash button, just write javascript function myFunction() in <body> section. Check this:

<script language="JavaScript">

function myfunction(){

alert("Hello World"); 

}

<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" />

import flash.external.ExternalInterface;

import flash.events.Event;

HelloButton.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, myFlashFunction);

function myFlashFunction (e:Event):void{ 

 ExternalInterface.call("myfunction", HelloButton.name);

};

<script language="JavaScript">

function myfunction(){

alert("Hello World"); 

}

<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" />

My Cartoons

Just exploring digitization options with my cartoons….

Missing Character entities in Dreamweaver CS5

It’s been long time that I haven’t update my blog, I know but I was so busy in my schedule that didn’t find out time to write some good article. I had done some fantastic work during this time. And during my work find out something interesting in Dreamweaver CS5, which I want to share with you all.

In XSLT, some characters are not allowed in certain contexts. For example, you cannot use the less than sign (<) and the ampersand (&) in the text between tags or in an attribute value. The XSLT transformation engine will give you an error if those characters are used incorrectly. To solve the problem, you can specify character entities to replace the special characters.

A character entity is a string of characters that represents other characters. Character entities are either named or numbered. A named entity begins with an ampersand (&) followed by the name or characters, and ends with a semicolon (;). For example, &lt; represents the left angle bracket character (<). Numbered entities also start and end the same way, except that a hash sign (#) and a number specify the character.

XSLT has the following five predefined entities:

Figure 1.1: Predefined entities

So now biggest question is that suppose if we try to write some special character, than from where we get the ‘Entity Code’  for that special character. It’s easy, look up the missing character in the character entity reference page on the W3C website i.e. www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/sgml/entities.html

Let’s select ‘micro’ entity in the webpage. Write down its Entity and CDATA details, which are as follows: Entity: micro CDATA: &#181;

Figure 1.2: Entity and CDATA for ‘micro’

Now open XML file present in Dreamweaver application folder (where you install Dreamweaver, in Program files)….Configuration/DocumentTypes/MMDocumentTypesDeclarations.xml

Open this XML file in text editor or XML editor of your choice. Locate the text ‘mm_xslt_1’ and,

Figure 1.3: mm_xslt_1 declaration

after that place Entity and CDATA in appropriate location. Save the XML file.

Figure 1.4: Entity and CDATA

Now, open Dreamweaver CS5, and in Code view write &micro; …………….. Its amazing to see micro sign on Design view of Dreamweaver CS5.

Figure 1.5: ’micro’ sign in Code and Design view

You can experiment with many symbols available in W3C website.

Reference: Dreamweaver help, other internet links

3D support in new Flash Player

I was reading different articles on internet about the new technologies in Multimedia field. During this I come across an interesting piece of information which I feel is interesting to you all. This is about the ‘alternativaplatform’ which is a Flash-3D-engine i.e. Alternativa3D.

‘Alternativa3D’ is developed by a Russian company which is working on this platform for more then 10 years(as they claim ), and cooperating close with Adobe and working in pre-release groups, and participate in developing of new Flash Player versions.

‘Alternativa3D’, which is intended for displaying 3D graphics in the Flash Player environment. You can use this technology in wider areas such as 3D websites to multiplayer browser games and applications for social networks in full 3D.

Alternativa3D version 7 has been widely used in the architectural and building sector, interior design and internet advertising. They are also providing servers for online gaming. AlternativaCore is a cluster of several Linux-powered Java servers. It is a ready to use core for creating real-time and turn-based multiplayer online games. This client-server solution helps in version control, high speed data transfer, load balancing  system, store unlimited amount of data, faster and easier development of games, allows expansion, decreases expenses, support payment systems, social networks support etc. For more details just visit: http://alternativaplatform.com/en/alternativa3d/

The best thing is that Alternativa3D is free of cost, so just download it and explore the possibilities. But one thing to remember, you need to have a good understanding of Actionscript 3 and Flash.

Actually Adobe Flash team is working on technologies which make possible to create and play 3D games through Adobe Flash Player. Adobe team is working on a new set of 3D GPU accelerated APIs that delivers advanced 3D rendering in Flash Player and AIR. This API codename is ‘Molehill’. For more information just visit this link: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/adc-presents/molehill-3d-apis/