Xerte Learning Object Development Tool |
Traditional learning resources depend heavily on text but text-heavy content creates accessibility barriers for many learners. The Xerte Online Toolkit is an Open Source content creation tool developed by the Information Services team at the University of Nottingham with the help of JISC TechDis. It allows non-technical staff to create rich, interactive engaging resources with high levels of accessibility including:
View the Xerte demo video produced by Laura Goodacre, JISC TechDis:
View the Xerte promotional video produced by the University of Nottingham (clicking this link will open Windows Media Player to play the video)
As a result of the developer's commitment to accessibility, JISC TechDis has actively supported the evolution of the Xerte tool into a tutor-friendly resource and is currently engaged in disseminating the inclusion benefits to all sectors. Although designed primarily as a web based content creation tool, Xerte can also run on a memory stick and has been bundled with Moodle in MAXOS (Moodle and Xerte On a Stick - see below).
With large organisations needing to demonstrate compliance with the Disability Equality Duty, Xerte Online Toolkits are an excellent and cost effective way of combining inclusion needs with staff development in high quality content creation.
Staff training is a core element for many organisations. Xerte allows businesses to rapidly create high quality resources that meet the needs of a diverse workforce (some with accessibility requirements). Where work practices involve multiple sites with limited connectivity, MAXOS is an ideal way of carrying a course in a pocket.
This is a sector known for its diverse clientele – many with age related access needs or low self confidence and poor prior experiences of education. Xerte allows tutors to create engaging resources that can be easily personalised, making richer learning experiences for users. MAXOS is an ideal way to use Xerte in venues without connectivity.
The lack of Internet connectivity in prisons makes many forms of e-learning difficult but MAXOS allows high quality course materials to be created by tutors and used by offenders.
The rich learning resources that can be created in Xerte are ideal for 14-19 learners. Where teaching is split between schools and colleges, tutors can provide consistency of access to resources using MAXOS.
JISC TechDis commissioned Ron Mitchell of MitchellMedia to create a series of getting started guides for tutors. We are actively adding to the series but the following can be downloaded straightaway and the JISC TechDis sandbox area is available for tutors to trial Xerte Online Toolkits.
| Tutorial title |
Word document download |
PDF document download |
Description of contents |
| Page Types Reference |
Page Types Reference Word (3MB) | Page Types Reference PDF (1.5MB) | An overview of the kinds of pages you can create. |
| Creating your first learning object |
First LO Creation Word (6.4MB) | First LO Creation PDF (1.6MB) | Step by step introduction to creating and distributing your first Xerte learning object. |
| Using the multiple choice page |
Mulitple Choice Word (1.2MB) | Multiple Choice PDF (534KB) | How to create an interactive quiz page on Xerte. |
| Using the drag and drop page |
Drag and Drop Word (7.4MB) | Drag and Drop PDF (970KB) | Using drag and drop to provide interaction and informal self assessment. |
| Using the image hotspots page |
Image Hotspots Word (1.5MB) | Image Hotspots PDF (616KB) | Using images interactively to prompt or to test. |
| Editing, managing and sharing learning objects (part 1) |
Sharing LO part 1 Word (2.2MB) | Sharing LO part 1 PDF (874KB) | This tutorial basics of editing, managing and sharing Xerte objects including previewing and publishing changes, how to make learning objects public, creating folders and organising learning objects, etc. |
| Editing, managing and sharing learning objects (part 2) |
Sharing LO part 2 Word (2.4MB) | Sharing LO part 2 PDF (1.1MB) | This tutorial features more advanced steps following on from Part 1 including using RSS feeds, adding notes, sharing learning objects for collaborative development, exporting learning objects from Xerte toolkits, amongst many others. |
| Using the categories page type |
Categories Word (1.3MB) | Categories PDF (658KB) | Tutorial covering the usage of the categories page type. |
| Using the navigators page types |
Navigators Word (3.6MB) | Navigators PDF (1.5MB) | Using the various Navigators page types which provide different means of displaying information on the same page in smaller or separate chunks. |
| Using the timeline / matching pairs page type |
Timeline Word (1.1MB) | Timeline PDF (577KB) | The Timeline / Matching Pairs page type allows you to add 'drag items to correct sequence or to matching pairs' interaction extremely quickly, this tutorial covers the use of this page type. |
| Sharing your Learning Objects with other Xerte Online Toolkits users and organisations - "XPERT" |
XPERT Word (2.3MB) | XPERT PDF (1.1MB) | Learn to share your Learning Objects via Open Courseware Syndication. |
The JISC TechDis sandbox is a good way to trial Xerte Toolkits (instructions in the tutorials above) but for serious use with learners you will need your technical team to install Xerte Toolkits on your own institution’s server. Your technical support team should go to http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/xerte/downloads/xertetoolkits.zip . The technical instructions are incorporated in the zip archive. If they experience difficulties there are searchable archives on the discussion list. Once installed, teaching staff simply need a login to enable them to create projects using the built in templates (see section above).
Where Internet access is a problem, Xerte can be bundled with Moodle onto a memory stick in order to create a portable course complete with Xerte learning materials. MAXOS needs a 2gb memory stick to run well. Instructions and downloads are available and a sample course with brief instructional video is also available.