Forum LAMS Newsletter: Newsletter 9, 20th Nov, 05

By: James Dalziel

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LAMS V1.0.2 out and about

The new version of LAMS (V1.0.2) is out, and as servers get upgraded (or you get access to a new installation), you'll begin to notice some new features. One of the first you'll see is on the new Welcome page, which now integrates the LAMS Community into the bottom half of the screen. So today we look at bit more at what the LAMS Community can do for you!

Communities in the LAMS Community

The LAMS Community is designed to allow for lots of sub-commmunities. To start with, there are six general communities (Education, Gettings Started, K-12 Schools, Higher Education and Training, Research and Development, and Technical) - these are open to anyone. You can join or leave communities as you wish. New communities can be added as the need arises, and these can be either open or closed.

For example, Macquarie University (the home of LAMS development) is currently running a project to roll out LAMS throughout the university. As part of this project, there is a private LAMS Community for Macquarie staff to discuss local issues, share sequences among just this group, announce local events and so on.

If you have a group which needs its own area within the LAMS Community, and you are happy to look after managing this group (deciding who can join, encouraging discussion and sharing sequences, etc), let us know and we can set it up for you.

Sharing Sequences - the birth of "open source teaching"

The LAMS software allows you to capture and share sequences of learning activities. The LAMS Community provides a focal point for sharing sequences under open content licenses. Together, they represent a unique approach to e-learning that we call "open source teaching".

The sequence repository is the key to open source teaching. You can upload sequences into the repository to share with others, including adding metadata. You can then search for sequences across any community you have joined. You can also rate sequences, provide comments and track downloads.

Forums

The LAMS Community forums provide the key place for discussion of both teaching and technical issues in using LAMS. Feel free to ask questions, as there are usually others on the lists who can answer or point you to someone/somewhere else for help.

In particular, any issues with the new version or upgrading, make sure you post them in the Technical Community to get help.

Also, the Forums have great email features - you can get email updates when people respond to a forum, and you can even email your response back, and it will be added into the LAMS Community website!

Promoting LAMS V1.0.2

The release of LAMS V1.0.2 has only had limited "press" so far, so please promote the news to your colleagues and communities. The news story is at http://www.lamsfoundation.org/news/index.html#8

Look forward to seeing you around the LAMS Community!

Posted by James Dalziel