View source for Reload Editor

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== Definition ==

The '''Reload Editor''' tools are multi-standard IMS/SCORM editors.

(1) '''The [[IMS Content Packaging | content packaging]] editor'''

* It allows to assemble contents (with different IMS Content Packaging versions, IMS/IEEE Metadata, and SCORM run-time instructions)
* Most recent versions add support for [[IMS Learning Design]] (level A), [[IMS Simple Sequencing]]

It also can produce a a simple stand-alone HTML-based preview package that can be deployed on a simple web server.

See also the Telcert [[Content Re-Engineering Tool]] (dead project?) and [[Xerte]] which are spin-offs with more functionality. In particular, Xerte seems to be a good alternative. If you are looking for an easy e-learning content authoring tool, look at [[eXe]]

(2) '''The [[IMS Learning Design]] editor'''

* Allows to edit IMS Learning Designs.

See also: 
* [[Reload Editor Tutorial]] (explains a bit how to use this)
* [[IMS Content Packaging]] (package format structure used)
* [[SCORM]] (extension of IMS Content Packaging)
* [[Educational modelling language]] (other languages)

== Tools and releases ==

Currently, (march 2007) there are two releases of the Metadata and content packaging editor and a release of the stand-alone Learning design editor.

=== Reload Metadata and Content Packaging Editor 2.0.2 ===

This release includes support for 

* IMS or LOM Metadata
* IMS Content Packaging 1.1.4
* [[SCORM 1.2]] Specific Elements (prerequisites, maxtimeallowed, timelimitaction, datafromlms, masteryscore)

=== Reload Editor 2.5.2 nov 2006 ===

The 2.5.2 release of Reload editor (nov 2006) includes support for
* IMS Metadata or IEEE LOM, 
* IMS MD 1.2.4, 
* IMS CP 1.1.4 
* [[SCORM 1.2]]
* SCORM 2004 (3rd edition) and thus [[IMS Simple Sequencing]] and [[IMS QTI]]
* [[IMS Learning Design]] (level A)

This latest version is only available as manual install (files to dezip and there is no manual (as of 21:30, 29 November 2006 (MET)), but since the interface is the same we suggest to install this version.

; Screen dump of the "normal" Content Packaging View

[[image:reloadworkspace.gif|frame|none|Reload Editor Workspace in default mode ]]

; Screen dump of the Learning Design View

[[image:reload-editor-ld-mode.png|frame|none|Reload Editor Workspace in Learning Design mode ]]

;Installation instructions for the 2.5x Reload Editor
* Make sure that you have Java installed, e.g. open a console window and type "java". Else, get it from [http://www.java.com/en/download/ JAVA]
* Get Reload editor from [http://www.reload.ac.uk/editor.html here] (as of march 2007, make sure you take the 2.5x manual install and not some older version).
* Dezip the file somewhere
* If clicking on the *.jar file doesn't work (likely because the *.jar extension is associated with another program, you can write a simple "bat" or "cmd* file (on windows) or [[shell script]] (on Unix). Contents of the Windows reload.bat file should be something like:
 java -jar reload-editor.jar
Once it works make it rather like this (you won't see the dos command window anymore)
 start javaw.exe -jar reload-editor.jar
Alternatively type the above command from a command (DOS) window. To find the DOS window application in your Windows: "Start menu -> execute" then type ''cmd''

=== Reload Learning Design editor ===

* This specialized Learning Design editor can do more than the 2.5.2 release of the "normal" Reload editor, i.e. it supports all levels of learning design.

[[image:reload-ld-editor.png|thumbnail|200px|right| Screendump of the Reload Learning Design editor]]

It has several tools:

* Overview: Define title, objectives and prerequisites
* Roles: Define roles (specialize the 2 default roles)
* Properties
* Activities: Definition of activities (simple and composite/structures)
* Environments: Tools or Contents
* Methods: Definition of the play
* Files: File management (resources used in the Content Package)
* Export: Creation of an IMS Content Package for distribution

== Reload Editor how-to ==

Reload Editors are structure editors that require from authors some initial investment and a basic understanding of how [[IMS Content Packaging | content packaging]] works. In addition, according to what you plan to do, you need to understand principles of [[SCORM 1.2]], [[SCORM 2004]] (e.g. [[simple sequencing]]), or [[IMS Learning Design]]

See: [[Reload Editor Tutorial]] for IMS CP and SCORM 1.2

== Comments ==

=== Defaults ===

* Assembling a standard IMS content package is fairly simple '''if you stick to the defaults'''. At least with Reload Editor version 2.5.2 trying things like using IEEE [[Learning Object Metadata Standard|LOM]] instead of IMS Learning Resources Metadata will cause you major headaches since the result will not validate (probably because LOM XSD files are missing but maybe for other reasons too.

=== SCORM ===

* Assembling a [[SCORM 1.2]] package that truly makes use of Content-LME communication is very difficult and needs programming experience. If all you need is just a SCORM-compatible content package, it's easy (i.e. you nearly get the same structure as in a simple IMS Content Package).

* We rather suggest to use [[eXe]] to edit SCORM-compatible contents, or if you want to assemble existing materials use an [[LMS]] that provides support for editing and export.

* Reload editors can not really handle SCORM 2004 (as of 12:40, 13 January 2007 (MET)), i.e. there is no way to define a simple sequence.

== Links ==

* [http://www.reload.ac.uk/tools.html Reload Tools page] (editor and player, make sure to pick the correct tool, i.e. don't get the Learning design tools !. These tools need Java)

* [http://www.reload.ac.uk/ex/editor_v1_3_manual.pdf Reload 1.3 Manual] - PDF) 2004, still useful !

* [http://www.reload.ac.uk/ex/ReloadSSv1.pdf Reload Editor Step by Step Guide], a 2-page quick guide (very useful)

* [http://www.reload.ac.uk/ex/ Example Content Packages and Content]


[[Category: XML]]
[[Category: E-learning tools]]
[[Category: Authoring tools]]
[[Category: Educational modeling languages]]
[[fr:Reload Editor]]
{{edutechwiki}}