Open source e-learning development tools 22: Xerte Rapid E-Learning Suite
In this penultimate post in the series, I want to talk about Xerte , a suite of tools for the rapid 
development of interactive learning content. Xerte makes it very easy to perform simple, common tasks, yet possible to create rich interactivity.
Xerte is an XML-based authoring environment based on the learning object metaphor. Like most of the applications in this series, Xerte is open-source software, released under the GNU public license. It supports the use of the following e-learning media assets:
- Icons
- Graphics
- Movies
- Audio
- Drawing
- Text Scripts
- Interactions
According to the developers at Nottingham University,
Xerte seeks to provide a focus on the types of problems and situations that developers of interactive learning content frequently encounter, and accelerate the development process. Xerte provides a visual, icon-based authoring environment that allows learning objects to be easily created with the minimum of scripting. Functionality that would be time-consuming to develop from scratch in other tools can be created very quickly in Xerte. If you don’t write code yet, you will be able to use Xerte to integrate text, graphics, animations, sounds and video, create simple interactivity, and deliver it in an accessible interface. Content can be SCORM compliant for delivery in any LMS or VLE.
If you write some code, you will be able to create more complex structures and sophisticated interactivity. You’ll be able to customize the default interface and develop your own interfaces and navigation systems for your learning objects. If you write lots of code you’ll be able to develop powerful components, extend the Xerte authoring interface with your own tools, and even contribute to the Xerte project itself.
Xerte is an XML-based authoring environment based on the learning object metaphor. Like most of the applications in this series, Xerte is open-source software, released under the GNU public license.
- Icon
- Graphic
- Movie
- Sound
- Drawing
- Script
- Interactions
Figure 1. The Xerte authoring UI
A template for adding movies to interactions is under development and will be available shortly. Authors can also integrate content from external sources such as Wikipedia, YouTube, Flickr, Google Maps and Delicious.
Current interaction types include:
- Buttons
- Radio Buttons
- Checkboxes
- Combo Boxes
- Hot Objects
- Hot Spots
- Text Entry
- Target Areas
- Time Limit
- Tries Limit
Xerte facilitates SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004-specification shareable content packages for distribution via LMS.
The other components in the suite are
Xerte Online Toolkits is a server-based suite of tools for content authors. Elearning materials can be authored quickly and easily using browser-based tools, with no programming required. Xerte Online Toolkits is aimed at content authors, who will assemble content using simple wizards. Content authors can easily collaborate on projects. Xerte Online Toolkits can be extended by developers using Xerte.
Xpert is a repository for sharing and re-using learning materials. Xerte Online Toolkits integrates with Xpert to make it simple to publish open content and have it surface in the Xpert repository for learners to use and other content developers to re-use, adapt and repurpose. Other content authors can easily contribute resources via RSS.
While the Xerte suite may be a little bit old-skool in it’s approach, I would recommend that Xerte is a valuable tool for enabling e-learning professionals and rapid e-learning developers to understand to rudiments of content assembly, how learning objects work, about content sequencing, as well as about content development workflows, and how to distribute and test packaged content.
More…
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References:
Xerte Project Open Source Learning. [Internet] Available from: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/xerte/index.htm [Accessed 10 December 2009]
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December 17 2009 03:30 pm | e-learning
Andre Long on 08 Sep 2010 at 3:27 am #
How can Xerte make flash presentations SCORM 1.2 compliant?
Michael Hanley on 08 Sep 2010 at 3:23 pm #
Andre,
Assuming that you have successfully integrated your Flash media into the Xerte authoring environment, you simply save your project file, go to Xerte >> File >> Package >> SCORM 1.2. This will create an appropriate SCORM conformant package, including manifest file.
Best,
Michael
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