Forum LAMS Newsletter: Newsletter 33, 2nd Jul, 06


 
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1: Newsletter 33, 2nd Jul, 06
07/03/06 10:20 AM
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LAMS V2 Beta released

The LAMS V2 beta is now out - for all the details, see http://wiki.lamsfoundation.org/display/lams/Home

For those who are new to the technical jargon of programmers, a "beta" release is a version of a system which is not yet quite ready for widespread use by everyone, but which is close to what is expected in the final version. Beta releases are used to get feedback on bugs and issues with a new version of a system before it is finalised for mass adoption. Given the potential bugs, it's not recommend for average users - rather, it's for exploration by technically experienced users who understand what to expect in a beta release, and are happy to deal with some bugs (and hopefully provide feedback on them!).

So if you understand what to expect from a beta, then we're keen for your feedback - see the technical discussions in the LAMS Community for more information. If you can compile and install a web application, then the LAMS source code is available from our CVS repository. In the coming month or so, we'll open up a general test server for those who want to try it out, but aren't able to install their own version. We'll probably have 3 beta releases (beta1 now, beta2 at the start of August, and beta 3 at the start of September), and then the finalised LAMS V2 release in October.

For details on the new features in LAMS V2 (plus all the existing features from LAMS V1), see http://wiki.lamsfoundation.org/display/lams/LAMS+2.0+Feature+List
A few features have been pushed to V2.1, and there is one major feature not in the beta that is planned for the final release (a pedagogic planner tool), but otherwise, it's pretty much there.

Great new features include:
- Internationalisation (17 languages underway to date)
- HTML editor for all activities (supports rich media)
- All activities can be run online or “offline”
- New grouping options (teacher chosen, specify group size/no.)
- New workflow gates (schedule, synchronise, permission)
- Instructions/advice/worksheets option for all activities
- Sequence launching using flexible groups; scheduling
- Teacher participation in any activity; edit/hide/filter options
- All activities provide statistics on student use
- “Portfolio export” – downloadable record of student activities
and lots more.


LAMS V2 workshop - 4th July, London Knowledge Lab

A workshop on LAMS V2 will be held at London Knowledge Lab on July 4th. For further details, see the previous announcement at
http://lamscommunity.org/dotlrn/clubs/educationalcommunity/forums/message-view?message%5fid=242026


Introducing RAMS

Many users have observed that LAMS could be more than just a system for sequencing e-learning activities - it could potentially be a more general people-based workflow system. While LAMS V1 was hard to change, LAMS V2 incorporates a flexible architecture that would allow for different types of collaborative activity workflow systems to be built on the core engine.

I'm pleased to say that Macquarie University has just been successful with a proposal to develop a prototype version of "RAMS", the Research Activity Management System. RAMS will be an early demonstrator for eResearch/eScience collaborative research workflows. I gave the first presentation about RAMS, and its relationship to LAMS, at the EDUCAUSE Workflow CAMP on June 29th - for details, see http://www.educause.edu/upload/presentations/CAMP063/GS04/EDUCAUSE.WorkflowCAMP.ppt

More details in coming weeks.

Posted by James Dalziel

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