Method for generating a package for learning management systems

Abstract

Method for generating a package for learning management systems, comprising the steps of a) providing a processing unit, b) providing a storyboard comprising one or more parameters comprising information related to one or more of textual contents, information for interactive contents, references to multimedia contents; c) providing multimedia contents associated to one or more storyboard parameters; d) generating an instance associated to the storyboard and to the multimedia contents; e) providing an analysis and processing algorithm; f) generating an information-containing file by means of the analysis and processing algorithm comprising a plurality of variables associated to respective storyboard parameters; g) generating a preliminary package associated to the instance according to the aforementioned variables and multimedia contents; h) generating one or more interface files according to the information- containing file adapted to interact with one or more learning management systems; i) obtaining a final package according to the preliminary package installable in one or more learning management systems.

Description

[0001] TITLE: “Method for generating a package for learning management systems”.

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0004] The present invention relates to a method for generating a package for learning management systems. This method finds particular application in the development and delivery of e-leaming courses.

[0005] Description of the prior art

[0006] It is known in the art to create packages for e-learning courses starting from multimedia contents and from a storyboard, that is, from a text containing information about the structure of the e-leaming course, the textual contents, references to multimedia assets (including videos and pdf files) and information for the construction of any interactive parts of the course, including tests, games or insights.

[0007] In particular, the development and delivery of a package of an e-leaming course that can be installed in a corporate learning management system (LMS), starting from the storyboard and from the multimedia contents, requires the intervention of different professionals.

[0008] The construction of the structure and of the content holder (Content Management System, CMS) is the responsibility of developers able to write and process the code behind the package.

[0009] As for the graphics and management of the navigation mode between the multimedia contents and the construction of any interactive and assessment pages of the e-learning course package, the task is entrusted to the designer. In particular, the aforementioned steps of the process require special attention to the user experience (UX).

[0010] Finally, the integration of the user experience and the development of a code to track the contents of the course once the package is installed in an LMS, so that the user experience can be evaluated as a whole, is carried out by programmers and interaction designers.

[0011] Problem of the prior art

[0012] The process of developing a package for e-learning courses is impractical, as it requires the work of various professionals cooperating with each other.

[0013] This means that the development cost is high due to the involvement of numerous operators. Moreover, the management of the package is also timeconsuming, as the development process must be carried out substantially in cascade, according to the timing and work needs of each professional involved.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a method for generating a package for learning management systems that allows to overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art.

[0016] The aim of the invention in question is to provide a method for generating a package for learning management systems adapted to streamline the development phase by means of digital logics that allow to create and develop a final package ready to be installed in a learning management system.

[0017] The specified technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a method for generating a package for learning management systems having the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

[0018] Advantages of the invention

[0019] Advantageously, the present invention allows to speed up the time required for developing an e-leaming package and the respective associated costs. In fact, the method of the present invention allows to integrate the aforementioned steps for developing the package, requiring only the activity of an instructional designer or of a proj ect manager for drafting and preparing the storyboard and the multimedia contents. Still advantageously, it is therefore possible to obtain a final package ready for delivery and installation in a learning management system (LMS) with considerably reduced timing.

[0020] Thanks to an embodiment, it is possible to obtain a method for generating a package for learning management systems capable of customizing the graphical interface, the styles and the operating logics according to the needs of the user. In addition, it is also possible to insert a specific landing page integrated into the e- learning course.

[0021] Thanks to an embodiment, it is also possible to obtain a method for generating a package for learning management systems that can be integrated into one or more learning management systems. In more detail, the method of the present invention makes it possible to create specific interface files according to the SCORM standard that can be read by the different LMSs.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA WINGS

[0023] The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of a possible practical embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the set of drawings, wherein:

[0024] - figure 1 schematically shows a block diagram of the steps of the method according to the present invention.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a method for generating a package for learning management systems (LMS), including, for example, the open learning system. In particular, the package generated by the method of the present invention substantially contains the material necessary for an e-learning type course.

[0026] The method of the present invention comprises the step of a) providing a processing unit and a database in signal communication with the processing unit.

[0027] Preferably, the processing unit comprises a calculator, for example a computer. Still preferably, the database may comprise a virtual database, e.g. a cloud, or alternatively a local memory of the processing unit.

[0028] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the step of a’) providing a user interface usable by a user. Preferably, the processing unit is configured to receive files and store them in the database by means of the user interface.

[0029] The method thus comprises the step of b) providing a storyboard stored in the database and comprising one or more parameters. The parameters comprise information related to one or more of textual contents, information for interactive contents, references to multimedia contents.

[0030] Within the scope of the present invention, storyboard refers to a text model written by a user (for example a project manager or an instructional designer) and containing information about the structure of the e-learning course, the textual contents, references to multimedia assets (including videos and pdf files) and information for the construction of any interactive parts of the course, including tests, games or insights.

[0031] According to one aspect, the storyboard parameters thus define a schematic structure of the package to be generated, which comprises a plurality of pages comprising one or more of title, code, text, reference to one or more multimedia contents.

[0032] The method therefore envisages of c) providing multimedia contents, for example videos, text fdes or pdf files, through service references or stored in the database. These multimedia contents have a respective reference associated to one or more storyboard parameters.

[0033] The method therefore comprises the step of d) generating an instance associated to the storyboard and to the multimedia contents.

[0034] For the purposes of the present invention, an instance means a new request generated by a user by means of the user interface. This new request is associated to the multimedia contents and to the storyboard provided by the user, as better detailed in the following of this description. Note that the method therefore envisages to generate a new instance for each new e-leaming course.

[0035] The method therefore envisages of e) providing an analysis and processing algorithm residing in the processing unit. Preferably, the analysis and processing algorithm is able to analyze and receive information from the storyboard and from the multimedia contents to define the structure of the package, and therefore of the e- learning course.

[0036] The method thus comprises the step of f) generating one or more informationcontaining files associated to the instance. The information-containing files are generated starting from the analysis of the storyboard carried out by means of the analysis and processing algorithm. In particular, the information-containing files comprise a plurality of variables, each associated to a respective storyboard parameter.

[0037] Preferably, the information-containing files define the basic structure, or the format, of the e-learning course. Still preferably, the information-containing files comprise the Content Management System (CMS), i.e. the technical content holder in which each variable of the information-containing file is associated to a respective parameter according to a predefined logic. It should therefore be noted that the information-containing files define the framework for tracking the contents of the package and the physical structure of virtual folders included in the package.

[0038] Preferably, in the presence of multiple pages of the storyboard, and therefore of the e-learning course, multiple files containing information associated to them can be generated. Still preferably, the method envisages to generate an overall file comprising each information-containing file.

[0039] The method therefore envisages of g) generating a preliminary package associated to the instance by the processing unit. The preliminary package is generated according to the variables of the information-containing file and to the multimedia contents.

[0040] Preferably, the preliminary package comprises the multimedia contents divided into respective virtual folders and the CMS. Still preferably, the preliminary package substantially comprises the structure and the contents of the e-leaming course.

[0041] The method then envisages of h) generating one or more interface files according to the one or more information-containing files and of storing the interface files in the preliminary package. The interface files are files adapted to interact with one or more learning management systems.

[0042] According to the preferred aspect of the invention, the interface files are generated according to a standard for reusing, tracking and cataloguing packages for learning management systems. Preferably, the interface files are generated according to the SCORM standard. Still preferably, the interface files are compiled according to a syntax defined by the adopted standard. Preferably, the interface files are generated according to the storyboard parameters and in particular of the information related to the structure of the course.

[0043] The method therefore comprises the step of i) obtaining a final package according to the preliminary package. The final package is thus installable in one or more learning management systems. Advantageously, the interface files generated according to a specific standard allow to interact with different LMS systems and integrate the final package into these systems, so that the same e-leaming course is used on different business platforms.

[0044] Preferably, the step of i) obtaining a final package envisages to generate a compressed file containing the data acquired in the further steps of the present method. This compressed file can therefore be sent, downloaded and installed by one or more users.

[0045] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the user provides by means of the user interface a storyboard, which is stored in the database, and the respective multimedia contents, optionally stored in the database.

[0046] In particular, the step of b) providing a storyboard envisages b’) acquiring at least one storyboard by means of the user interface. Similarly, the step of c) providing multimedia contents envisages c’) acquiring one or more multimedia contents by means of the user interface.

[0047] Preferably, the method therefore envisages b”) duplicating the acquired storyboard and associating the storyboard duplicate to the generated instance. Similarly, the method envisages c”) duplicating the acquired multimedia contents and associating the multimedia contents duplicate to the instance.

[0048] It should be noted that according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the further steps of the method are to be considered as carried out on the storyboard and on the multimedia contents duplicate.

[0049] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the further step a_l) of providing a landing page stored in the database and associated to the instance. Preferably, the landing page is provided by the user by means of the user interface. Preferably, the method envisages to generate a link associated to the landing page and to associate the link to a page of the package.

[0050] Within the scope of the present invention, a landing page is a web page addressed and presented in the package, preferably as an opening page.

[0051] Still preferably, the step of g) generating a preliminary package therefore envisages to generate the preliminary package also according to the landing page.

[0052] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the database comprises one or more package templates for e-learning courses.

[0053] For the purposes of the present invention, the templates are essentially “courseware models”, i.e. predefined models of courses adaptable according to the storyboard and of the acquired multimedia contents.

[0054] Preferably, each template has one or more customization parameters adapted to define the graphics and the styles of the e-learning course. Still preferably, the customization parameters comprise information about one or more of graphical interface of the package to be generated, textual contents styles and / or colours, operating logics for interactive contents and / or for multimedia contents, logos. These operating parameters define the functional framework of the e-learning course.

[0055] Still preferably, the method envisages to periodically update the templates by means of appropriate updating algorithms.

[0056] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the method thus comprises the further step of a_2) providing customization parameters. Optionally, this step envisages a_20) acquiring the customization parameters by means of the user interface. Alternatively, step a_2) of providing customization parameters envisages a_21) of selecting the customization parameters from one or more templates residing in the database. In other words, the customization parameters can be provided and acquired by one or more of the templates stored in the database, or entered by the user through the graphical interface. Advantageously, it is therefore possible to customize the e- learning course according to the user’s graphic preferences.

[0057] Preferably, the step of g) generating a preliminary package therefore envisages to generate the preliminary package also according to the acquired customization parameters.

[0058] It should be noted that the method of the present description allows to rationalize the steps of the known process of development and delivery of e-leaming courses, as it requires an extremely small number of professionals for the generation and delivery of the final package. In this way, it is possible to obtain a considerable economic and time gain.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for generating a package for learning management systems, comprising the steps of: a) providing a processing unit and a database in signal communication with the processing unit, b) providing a storyboard stored in the database and comprising one or more parameters, the parameters comprising information related to one or more of textual contents, information for interactive contents, references to multimedia contents; c) providing multimedia contents having a respective reference associated to one or more storyboard parameters; d) generating an instance associated to the storyboard and to the multimedia contents; e) providing an analysis and processing algorithm residing in the processing unit; f) generating one or more information-containing files associated to the instance by analyzing the storyboard by means of the analysis and processing algorithm, the information-containing files comprising a plurality of variables, each variable being associated to a respective storyboard parameter; g) generating a preliminary package associated to the instance by the processing unit according to the variables of the one or more information-containing files and to the multimedia contents; h) generating one or more interface files according to the one or more information-containing files and storing the interface files in the preliminary package, the interface files being adapted to interact with one or more learning management systems;i) obtaining a final package according to the preliminary package, the final package being installable in one or more learning management systems.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the storyboard parameters define a schematic structure of the package to be generated, the schematic structure comprising a plurality of pages comprising one or more of title, code, text, reference to one or more multimedia contents.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising, prior to step of b) providing a storyboard, the step of a’) providing a user interface usable by a user, the processing unit being configured to receive files and store them in the database by means of the user interface.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the steps of b) providing a storyboard and of c) providing multimedia contents comprise the respective sub-steps:- b’) acquiring at least one storyboard by means of the user interface;- c’) acquiring one or more multimedia contents by means of the user interface.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the steps of b) providing a storyboard and of c) providing multimedia contents comprise the further respective sub-steps:- b”) duplicating the acquired storyboard and associating the storyboard duplicate to the instance;- c”) duplicating the acquired multimedia contents and associating the multimedia contents duplicate to the instance.

6. The method of any one of the preceding claims, comprising the further step of a_l) providing a landing page stored in the database and associated to the instance; the step of g) generating a preliminary package envisaging to generate the preliminary package also according to the landing page.

7. The method of any one of the preceding claims, comprising the further step of a 2) providing customization parameters, the customization parameters comprising information about one or more of graphical interface of the package to be generated, textual contents styles and / or colours, operating logics for interactive contents and / or for multimedia contents, logos.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of a_2) providing customization parameters comprises the sub-step of a_20) acquiring the customization parameters by a user interface usable by a user and associated to the processing unit.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the database comprises one or more templates, each template comprising one or more customization parameters; the step of a_2) providing customization parameters comprising the sub-step of a_21) selecting the customization parameters from a template residing in the database.

10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface files are generated according to a standard for reusing, tracking and cataloguing packages for learning management systems, preferably according to SCORM standard.

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