ATutor
From Bazaar Wiki
Type of application / System Requirements
ATutor is an Open Source Web-based Learning Content Management System (LCMS) running as a server application. Atutor is distributed under GPL Licence
Administrators can install or update ATutor in minutes, develop custom templates to give ATutor a new look, and easily extend its functionality with feature modules.
System requirements
ATutor Course Server
- HTTP Web Server is required. (Apache is recommended)
- PHP version 4.3.0+, or 5.0.2+ with Zlib and MySQL support enabled is required.
- MySQL 4.0.2 or higher, or 4.1.10 or higher.
Database User
A database user account with the privilege to create databases is required if your database does not already exist. That same user will then need create table privileges as well. See the MySQL chapter How the Privilege System Works for additional information.
Web Browser
ATutor makes use of many new HTML features that are only supported in current Web browsers. Though ATutor will function effectively in older browsers, such as Netscape 4 or Lynx, we strongly recommend updating your browser to a more recent version. Current versions of Netscape 7+, FireFox 1+, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4+ work well with ATutor. Opera 5+ also works reasonably well.
Download ATutor
You can download ATutor folowing this link : http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/download.php
Purpose
ATutor was first released in late 2002. It came in response to two studies conducted by the developer in the years prior that looked at the accessibility of online learning systems to people with disabilities. Two, of many, accessibility features in the system are text alternatives for all visual elements, and keyboard access to all features. With these a blind person can, with the help of a screen reader, listen to the entire interface of the system, and he or she can access the system without needing a mouse. These features also allow ATutor to adapt to a wide variety of technologies including cell phones, personal data assistants (PDAs), and text-based Web browsers, to name a few.
A second goal in the development of ATutor was to create a system that was easily adapted to any teaching/learning scenario that might arise. Four main areas have been focused on in an effort to create a highly adaptable system: themes, privileges, tool modules, and groups.
What it does
Educators can quickly assemble, package, and redistribute Web-based instructional content, easily retrieve and import prepackaged content, and conduct their courses online.
Students learn in an adaptive learning environment.
How can it be used for creation of OERs
ATutor allows content developers to create reusable content that can be swapped between different systems. Licencing produced content is uppon developer requirements.
How can it be used for consumption of OERs
ATutor's repository enables file storage and sharing so you can upload Open Educational Resources and share them within a group, with all registered users and also with the public. Moreover, it is possible to import OERs in HTML or SCORM/AICC formats.
How can it be used for reuse of OERs
Reusing OERs requires that an appropriate copyleft license can be added to the particular resource. At the time, you can achieve that by manually adding copyright metadata to the resource but there is no automated mechanism to add Creative Commons licenses.
License support
(e.g. does it have built-in support for licenses, or license requirements) Atutor doesn't have any built-in support for licenses. Users can add manually any licence they want in content they are creating within ATutor.
Standards / Compatibility
ATutor has adopted the IMS/SCORM Content Packaging specifications, allowing content developers to create reusable content that can be swapped between different e-learning systems. Content created in other IMS or SCORM comformant systems can be imported into ATutor, and visa versa. ATutor also includes a SCORM 1.2 Runtime Environment (LMS RTE3) for playing and managing SCORM based Sharable Content Objects (SCOs).
HOW TO USE IT
Links / examples / Who is using it
- Website: http://www.atutor.ca/
- Latest release: http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/download.php
- Documentation: http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/docs/index.php
- Installation instructions: http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/docs/installation.php
Examples
Sandbox
- ATutor has a Demo installation where you can practice with Atutor. You can find this at : http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/demo.php
- You can practice also ATutor in opensourcecms.com following this link : http://demo.opensourcecms.com/atutor
- Admin Login Username: admin Password: demo
- Instructor Login Username: admin2 Password: demo
Comments / Discussion
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