In short, the Version Manager allows for the following:
Version Tree View
Preview selected versions
Compare selected versions
Graphical view of changes, insertions and deletions
File Manager
Uploading files
Downloading files
Searching Resources
Adding to Shelf
Importing SCORM Files
Information View
COLLECTIONS
are a subset of LO's grouped around a certain topic
LEARNING OBJECTS (LO's)
are a structured form of a learning material (documentation, manual, course, textbook, ...) and is usually a consolidation of smaller objects or chapters (lessons). An LO may consist of several types of sub objects, such as lessons or chapters, glossary of terms, bibliography, sets of tests, etc.
ADD, EDIT, ORGANISE, RECOMBINE LO's
these operations can only be used by logged in users;
these functions form the main authoring environment for Learning Objects: users can start new LO's, add new sub-objects, edit the content and metadata of each object (with version control), organise the order and hierarchy of the overall LO, save favourite objects to the personal bookshelf, recombine saved objects in another course
UPLOAD, IMPORT, EXPORT
through the FileManager any logged in user can upload files (in open standard formats), search files of other users, add them to the bookshelf. SCORM files (standard format for LO's) can, once uploaded, be imported into the system.
COLLABORATE
version control keeps track of each change in a tree-like version history. Unlike many other authoring tools, SELF is not linear but allows branching; different users or groups might work on different branches and thus avoid edit-wars, while recombining and merging permits the combination of desired work.
Interest groups around a common topic may be formed and use collaborative project management tools including messaging, discussions spaces etc (to do).
MATERIAL RATING & USER RATING
SELF is working on the implementation of ranking mechanisms that keep track of the popularity of each LO and assigns proportional parts of that popularity to the contributing users. Contributing users will therefore be recognised for their work and gain certain privileges in the community. At the same time the material rating helps the more popular material show up higher in search results and helps users get an indication of the maturity and use of each LO. See for more information QAEG.
FAQ
Glossary
Tests
Links and References
Course Organizer
Image Composition
Adding to Shelf
> The Shelf is a personal space where you can store your favourite lessons and courses. The Shelf allows you to quickly access the objects you are working in, and to easily add a lesson to an existing course. An information panel shows the title, description, object type and other important metadata from the selected object. earch function provides a way to search all Learning Objects (LO's) available on the platform. There is a simple search function at the top of the screen and later an advanced search function will be added. If you are looking for all LO's that have the words "SELF starter" in it, look here quickest way to get started with SELF is to have a look on the "SELF starter" page which gives a very short overview with links to other more profound explanations. After that quick start you can check out specific pages on the various functions of the SELF Platform such as:
Adding and Editing Collections
Deleting Collections
Adding Lessons
Adding and Updating Lessons
Viewing Versions
Course Components
FAQ
Glossary
Tests
Links and References
Course Organizer
Image Composition
Adding to Shelf
Uploading files
Downloading files
Searching Resources
Adding to Shelf
Importing SCORM Files
Information View
Recombination of Lessons
Searching resources
Adding and deleting items
Information View
Version Tree View
Preview selected versions
Compare selected versions
Graphical view of changes, insertions and deletions
Basic Search
Searching based on Title and Description of learning objects and resources
Information View
Add to Shelf
Calculating Links to Course, Collection and Shelf Managers
&nb;e Collections manager is can be reached directly from the main menu called "material", offering one way to browse through the complete collection of learning materials.
Collections are groups of learning objects, subsets of LO's grouped around a certain topic. Initially collections have been defined around the main topics for Free Software and Open Standards. In later stages, the platform can be used for any topic that doesn't tie a learner or educator to any particular product or company.
Main functions within the Collections Manager are:
As collections can be part of other collections, you can browser through a tree of collections and new collections can be added on any level and branche within this tree. Once you select a (sub)collection in the left panel, its descriptionappears on the right hand panel. Underneath the description a list of available courses in that collection is presented.
An initial group of collections has been defined at the start of SELF. If you consider however that there should be a new group or subgroup defined as a collection, you can add one. Be sure to check carefully the existing collections before adding a new one. To add a collection, click on the "Add Collection" button; you can find it on the left panel, just underneath the Collections tab.
When adding a new collection, a small form appears where you need to fill in the title of the collection, within which existing collection it should go, a description and the language.
Collections are one of the main ways to get to the available materials. It is important for the users of the platform to have a logically ordered set of collections, so learning materials can be easily found. When new collections are added, or collections become too big and subcollections become desired, such changes are made in the collections manager. This function is reserved to a group of people in the Learning Materials team. If you have any suggestions for changes to the collections, please email LM@selfproject.eu (mailing list of the Learning Materials team).
If you have an idea to start a new course, just go to the collection of your choice and click the Add Course button in the reight panel in the Collections Manager and fill in the short form. You will need to fill in the titel, description and language of your course. After saving the empty course you just defined is added at the bottom of the list of courses in the selected collection. Click on the title of the course and it takes you to the Course Manager for further work on the cour is recommended to join as a member of SELF Platform, so that your contributions are properly recognized. Since all changes are recorded in the knowledge base, the system can keep each user's contribution in a granular way. This will also help eventually in calculating reputation of not only the users' contribution, but also the courses.
e "changes manager" you can choose two versions and compare them. Modifications and inserts are shown highlighted. Also you can choose to merge two versions: you select one version to be merged into another ve