Metacoon

Metacoon is a free platform for collaborative learning, working and for the creation of management of learning and knowledge content. The system includes the functionality of a learning management system. There are several authoring tools for the creation of learning materials (eg, exercises and tests QTI, SCORM course materials ) are available. The metacoon Software released under the GNU Public License. Some of the offline authoring tools are freeware.

Development began in the fall of 2001 at the Bauhaus- University Weimar meantime, several universities and companies to cooperate in the development.

Construction

Metacoon uses a room / house metaphor. A platform consists of:

  • The publication of information to non-registered users
  • Registration of new users
  • Room Overview - registration
  • Authoring Environment
  • Platform management environment
  • A working and learning room with custom- compiled for the purpose of space tools
  • A space management area
  • An external website of the room ( an-/abschaltbar )

The system is adaptable - it is based on a modular principle - each Lern-/Arbeitsraum can be individually equipped with learning, communication, cooperation and authoring tools (eg, for an individual course didactics). The platform provides a set of standardized room types for learning and working are available:

Here information and documents in chronological or thematic blocks are divided. Within such a block documents / information are available in the desired order of execution. The blocks can be nested.

Here all information and documents in the pool are offered. Persons / groups work independently and self-organized. Lecturers / Project moderate the learning or working process.

Here, the discussion forum is a central tool in the center and is therefore displayed upon entering the room first. Otherwise, the room is equipped with information and materials pools ( like the space type " self -directed learning / work").

Supported learning materials

The learning platform provides learning materials can be adjusted

  • Such as PDF files, slide sets, office documents
  • Media: pictures, videos, audio, animation, audio, simulations
  • Import from HTML course materials
  • Import of SCORM courses

In addition, self- study materials also can be created as shown below authoring environment with the system:

  • Of reference ( eg Glossary), reading lists
  • Hypertext materials / XML-based learning materials
  • Video slide presentations and audio - slide presentations
  • Exercises and tests ( QTI - Standard)

Functionality - Overview

Personal Functions

  • Display of assigned courses / rooms
  • Enrollment in Courses / rooms
  • Manage personal data and profile (password, user data, address information, personal business card / website, voice, ...)
  • Manage personal bookmarks / links
  • Creation and management of transcripts (WYSIWYG Online Editor )
  • Meeting notes / protocols (personal or shared with other users)
  • Appointment book
  • Platform mailbox / Messenger system
  • Gallery
  • Personal file manager
  • Address book

Learning Management

  • Designing course sequences with sequence control
  • Management of SCORM courses
  • Management of any study materials in the learning material pool
  • Learning level overviews
  • Learning status -oriented activation parts of the course
  • Learning tasks, dispensing function (private or the public), Feedback-/Bewertungsfunktionen
  • Information and tasks of learning groups or individual learners

Cooperative learning / work

Communication functions

  • Discussion Forums
  • Online chat ( no installation required )
  • Messenger / platform mailbox
  • Who -is- online function with Messenger
  • Who was when online ( freischalt-/sperrbar )

Exercises and tests

  • Authoring Tool for QTI -compliant test questionnaires ( metacoon supports the QTI 2.1 standard )
  • Question types: multiple choice, single choice, cloze, assembly, sorting, hot-spot (on parts of the picture show )
  • Configuration of questionnaires ( random order of questions and response options, repetition, leaves, ... )
  • Integration of questionnaires in online course material
  • Who -is- online function with Messenger
  • Who was when online ( freischalt-/sperrbar )

Authoring Environment

  • Creation of XML-based learning materials ( OpenOffice with metacoon Chameleon plugin). semantic markup (introduction, example, definition, ...)
  • Tables, lists, and other structural elements
  • Integration of media (images, videos, animations, simulations, audio)
  • Integration of PDFs or other inserted documents
  • Integration of reference books, Literature Database
  • Full formula support ( input with OpenOffice editor, depending on the browser capabilities as MathML or image)
  • Rendering of course materials in the corporate design of the provider ( style sheets )
  • "Seen" and "understood" - function
  • Export: HTML, SCORM
  • Print / PDF download function for learners
  • Metadata Support

Management

  • Centralized and decentralized management of platform / rooms
  • Customizable roles, expandable
  • Rights system allows individual access to Tools
  • Content, communication activities, ...
  • Rights can be in each space group and set
  • Premises without permission management for beginners
  • Connection to central authentication (such as LDAP, NIS)
  • Interfaces to management systems for user data import
  • Access to course management
  • Access to the portal system ( Liferay Portal)
Sharable Content Object Reference Model
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