For Developers
...wanting to develop learning technologies
For Developers - Overview of E-Learning at Essex
The Learning Technology Team is happy to work with departments or lecturers who want to explore new or existing e-learning systems at Essex. It is advised that you read this page and contact us before you undertake any work which may have an impact on e-learning.
Requirements
Please consult with the LTT before undertaking any e-learning projects. However, as a guide, see our requirements below.
Client based packages
We recommend against developing client-based e-learning tools, unless they developed to be cross-platform (eg. Java, or web-based).
Server based packages
We can only offer support for packages which use the following technologies:
- Microsoft Windows
- ASP, or ASP.NET (1.1 or 2.0), running on IIS6.0
- Microsoft Access, or Microsoft SQL Server 2000
There is the potential to support packages which rely upon other technologies, but only where we have the technical skills in-house. Please contact us for more information.
Note: It is important that the Learning Technology Team is consulted before any web-based work is undertaken.
Extending Existing Packages
QuestionMark Perception
QuestionMark Perception can be extended through the use of it's QMWISe Web Service API. This API allows developers to:
- Create/Modify/Delete users and groups
- Create new assessments from existing questions
- Create/Modify/Delete user's assessment schedules
- Obtaining results for an assessment/question/user
More information on the QMWISe Web Service can be found on the QuestionMark website (registration required). An example of QMWISe development at Essex can be found at the SPRInTA Project.
Note that this API only allows the interfacing with the above areas of Perception. Developers wishing to alter the client-side behaviour of Perception should look at the following articles (registration required):
- How do I use CSS stylesheets with Perception assessments?
- How do I use templates in Perception assessments?
- PEPCAA Project
Moodle
Moodle can be extended through the development of plugins (written in PHP), and the use of Web Services. Please see the following for more details:
Essex E-Learning Tools (CMR, OCS, etc)
Please contact us if you wish to extend any other e-learning system.
