Publishing options

Publishing options are now more sophisticated and enable authors to control how the learner interacts with the course.

Sections can be restricted so that they must be accessed in sequence.

The last section can also be protected so that, for instance, the last section is only available when other sections have been completed.

Multiple choice

What does it do?

This template allows you to create a simple multiple-choice question with a question stem and two or more options.

With this template only one of the answer options can be the correct one.

When would you use it?

The multiple choice template can be used in a wide variety of ways throughout a module.

Why not start a module with a question to help the learner see how much they know already about a topic or to identify areas where they need to learn more?

Use regularly to check a learner’s understanding of key learning points as they work through a module and for final summative assessments.

Think about using scenario-based questions to support the transfer of the learning to the workplace and be sure to make full use of the feedback opportunity for reinforcing key learning points.

Importantly, this template allows you to provide customised feedback for each response, both correct and incorrect answers.

This is particularly useful if you are dealing with a greater level of complexity and need to explore and explain subtleties that might make a difference to a correct or incorrect decision or behaviour.

You would choose this template over the ‘select from list’ template if there is only one correct answer.

What’s new in Version 6?

We've updated the look and feel of this template in line with the other improvements to the authoring tool.

We've also added transition effects to images used in this template and have added the ability for authors to include this template as part of the scored assessment for the entire course.

Select from list

What does it do?

This template allows you to create a question which has more than one multiple correct answers.

The template also enables an author to ask the user to reattempt the question if they select and incorrect answer and to provide immediate feedback and each step of this process.

When would you use it?

Slightly different to the multiple choice template, the select from a list template should be used where you have more than one correct answer for a question.

Importantly it allows you to provide customised feedback for each response, both correct and incorrect.

This is particularly useful if you are dealing with a greater level of complexity and need to explore and explain subtleties that might make a difference to a correct or incorrect decision or behaviour.

What’s new in Version 6?

We've added transition effects to images used in this template and have added the ability for authors to include this template as part of the scored assessment for the entire course.

Single column drag and drop

What does it do?

This template is really popular with community members and enables questions to be created which ask the learner to:

Place items in the correct order from a random list

Match items in a sequence in the correct way.

When would you use it?

The single column drag and drop allows you to design ordering and matching activities.

Ideal for testing the learner’s knowledge of the key steps, and the order in with they occur in a process, for example a risk management process, or a reporting process.

Alternatively can be used for getting a learner to match say a series of words to their definitions or the names of personnel with their roles.

What’s new in Version 6?

We’ve improved the look and feel of this template and have added the ability for authors to include this template as part of the scored assessment for the entire course.

Drag and drop

What does it do?

This template allows you to create a page with a question and a list of items that can be dragged into pre-defined areas to generate a correct answer.

When would you use it?

This quiz template is great for getting learners to check their understanding of a topic by ordering information under a range of headings from the more obvious True/False, Yes/No headings to content-specific headings. 

You might for example ask a learner to identify correct and incorrect behaviours or responses to a given circumstance, or activities that you would or wouldn’t carry out to achieve a specified goal. 

What’s new in Version 6?

Version 6 brings some cool new features to this template.  The one’s we’re particularly proud of are:

• Multiple drop zones are now supported so that you can have , for instance a drag and drop into 3 places
• We’re now providing several different look and feels including a cork-board look, and of course, leopard print!
• Graphical drag and drop is now supported too

This template can also now be linked to the overall scored assessment for the course

Missing words

What does it do?

This is a brand new template that enables you to set a quiz based on missing words in a passage of text.

Whether you want to create a 'Have I got News for You' type interaction for a bit of fun or something a bit more serious, this template gives you the ability to let user’s test their understanding in a new way.

This template also enables you to decide to allow your users to select the options from a list, or to drag from a single list of options.

When would you use it?

This quiz template can be used to provide learners with an opportunity to check their knowledge or understanding of the learning covered in a module.

Ask the learner to complete some key statements with the right phrases, selected from a list, or to select numbers or dates to accurately complete a set of data.

The missing word template can also be used as part of a formal assessment.

Quiz results

What does it do?

This template allows you to track the results of assessment questions in your project.

This template allows the author to customise the feedback to the learner dependent on the number of answers they get correct.

Tailored feedback can be provided based on:

• The learner has completed all the questions correctly
• The learner has completed some of the questions correctly
• The learner has not completed any of the questions correctly

When would you use it?

Use this template to provide learners with a summary and a score after they have completed a series of quiz questions.

Typically this is used at the end of a module as part of a summative assessment.

Be sure to make use of the opportunity to provide full feedback.

What’s new in Version 6?

We've reconsidered how we provide assessments in Version 6 and made what we think are some really useful enhancements.

Our approach provides greater flexibility so that authors have a lot more control.

The specific functionality we’ve built in this version includes:

1. Section locking can be used to ensure that an assessment section cannot be attempted until all of the other learning is completed. This is potentially really useful for compliance training;
2. Flexible control of page availability so that learners can be forced to complete the course in a linear way;
3. We’ve enabled page locking to be enforced only until the course is complete so that your learners can revisit any part of the course on subsequent or refresher visits;
4. Enabled a number of grading options so that the communication to your DLE makes the most of all the technology available;

In order to make this technology available the 'Record Response' option must be clicked everywhere that you want a question to count toward the assessment score.

Introduction and summary

What does it do?

This is one of the more basic templates in the authoring tool and displays standard text on a page.  This template enables you to present text in a single column.

When would you use it?

Introduction and summary is useful for clearly presenting learning objectives or summary key points.  

Alternatively you could use it to present a single high impact quote, or to provide background information at the start of a case study or ahead of a quiz or assessment.

Text only

What does it do?

This is a basic template similar to the Introduction and summary allowing you to arrange your information in two columns of text side by side.

When would you use it?

Similar to the Introduction and Summary template this template enables you to present text in two columns, side by side.

It is useful if there is more text than would fit in a single column without the requirement for scrolling.

You could also use this template to compare and contrast two paragraphs of text side by side, for example as a literacy skills check for spotting spelling and grammatical errors, or for comparing and contrasting styles of writing/appropriate use of terminology.

Text with graphics

What does it do?

This template allows you to place a graphic and text together on the same screen.

When would you use it?

The text with graphics template now offers a wide range of layout and presentation options.  A really useful template for simple presentation of an image with a text description.

Consider using full screen width images for high impact with perhaps a single line or question above or below the image.

What’s new in Version 6?

We’ve enhanced this template substantially in Version 6 and you can now:

• Add transitions to images to make them more engaging (you can have up to 10 types of transition)
• Enabled a range text wrapping options so that your text can be enhanced by a well positioned graphic.

Hot text

What does it do?

This template allows you to add a bulleted list of items that can be clicked for more information about each item.  

This interactivity allows you to present information in smaller engaging packets on the page.

When would you use it?

This template allows you to present text in small chunks under key headings.  

Great for ensuring that learners aren’t overwhelmed with too much text on the screen at any one time and for taking a learner step by step through a process.

Can be used too as a question template, with the learner asked to click on the heading they think is a correct response.  

Feedback and further key learning points can then be displayed.

What’s new in Version 6?

Version 6 brings a couple of enhancements to this template including:

• The ability to add transition effects to the hot text as it enters the screen
• Expandable sections so that all hot text can be presented on the same screen

Clickable graphic

What does it do?

This template enables you to present a visual for the learner to explore.

Key areas of a visual can be picked out for the learner to click on and be presented with a text explanation or narrative.

When would you use it?

This is particularly useful for process flow charts, complex labelled diagrams and maps.

This template also works well as an alternative to video-based ‘talking heads’ – using simple head and should photos of people in a single composite diagram, the learner can explore different points of view by clicking on each person and revealing a quote.

What’s new in Version 6?

We’ve done a lot of work on this template for Version 6 and now provide the following functionality:

• tooltips on each hot spot
• text can be revealed as a pop-up which is overlaid on the image itself
• Image can be positioned on the left or right depending on your preference

Open input

What does it do?

This template allows you to add questions where the user types in some thoughts on a topic they are learning about.

Feedback is then given later in the module where the learner is presented with the input they provided earlier

When would you use it?

Use the open input template to invite learners to type their response to a question, or to list their personal objectives in undertaking the e-learning.

Learners can print out their response to discuss with a mentor or with colleagues.

Best used with the Open input feedback template.

Open input feedback

What does it do?

This template is used to give the user feedback on information they have entered in an Open Input question.

When would you use it?

For use with the open input template, the open input feedback template allows you to present a model answer alongside a learner’s response to a question on a previous page.

This template could also be used to test a learner’s understanding before an dafter they complete your module.

Why not ask a question at the start of your module and then once the learner has completed the module?

Present both inputs back so that they can see that what they have learned.

Movie

What does it do?

The Movie template allows you to create page containing a movie and accompanying text to right-hand side.

This is a ‘legacy template’ for complete compatibility with the unsupported version 4 of the Tool.

We would always request that an author would think carefully of using LPTV and the Embedded Template; or, from version 6, we would strongly advise LPTV combined with the brand NEW Jukebox template for a more efficient streaming of any video files.

When would you use it?

Use this template for displaying a video and text. If you are considering this template, be sure to look at the Jukebox template which offers more flexibility.

Flash

What does it do?

The Flash template allows you to create a page containing a flash video and optional blocks of text surrounding it.

When would you use it?

This template can be used to support bespoke visuals and activities that are separately developed in Flash.

You may wish to commission Learning Pool to create flash files to introduce animation, video, audio, moving text and graphics and bespoke question screens to your e-learning module. 

Used sporadically across a module the use of Flash can enhance learner engagement and enable you to present content in a range of creative and interesting ways.

What’s new in Version 6?

We’ve substantially rebuilt this template from a technical perspective so that it handles Flash in a more efficient and reliable way.

Although experienced authors may not see very much difference at first, they can rest assured that the technology under the covers will make their lives a lot easier.

Embed code

What does it do?

The Embedded Content template allows you to display video, images or other content that is available on the world wide web.

For example, you may want to include short video clip in your module that has been uploaded to Learning Pool TV.

You can also embed content from YouTube, Google Maps or Flickr in the same way.

When would you use it?

Use this template to include access for learners to content that exists outside of the e-learning module for example on a web page or intranet site, or to video files that are hosted on Learning Pool TV or YouTube.

This is an easy way to introduce existing multi-media to your e-learning module or to link to multimedia resources that you have created yourself.

Jukebox

What does it do?

This is a NEW multimedia template in version 6 of the Authoring Tool and allows you to:

present videos or mp3 podcasts; either singularly or as a collection of related media with a handy carousel presentation

attach transcripts and/or subtitles to each

reads information straight from LPTV so video presentations can be created with a minimum of effort

When would you use it?

This template provides a wide range of exciting opportunities to the instructional designer.

You can use the Jukebox template to present a suite of content in a mixture of formats: text, pictures, video, podcasts.

Great for presenting a ‘casebook’ of evidence or information for a learner to explore and investigate. Or for presenting a range of view points across multiple podcasts or videos.

Why not use the Jukebox to present a thought-provoking scenario for the learner to explore ahead of completing a short quiz?

Timeline

What does it do?

This is a brand new template in version 6 and allows you to:

• Group information in an interesting way along a continuum
• Present images, podcasts or video where appropriate to augment your story
• Choose to present as a linear timeline or as an ordered progression

When would you use it?

The timeline template enables you to present information in a specific order in a dateline or as a series of tabs, perhaps as steps in a process.

For each date or step information can be presented as text or text and graphics, video or podcast. A great multimedia template that can be inventively used by the creative instructional designer.

We think there are lots of possible applications of this template including a traditional recounting of events on a timeline, explanation of a process or policy or even a telling an interesting story.