Yes, I got rid of the pesky module on the front page. Modules can be unpublished just as content items can...very simple...just need to know were to look.
Also, sent a copy of the map to Mr. P.....and he is going to see if it can be wrapped into our site--rather than a pop-up.
Well, happy trails to you :P I always wanted to say that...and since we are making trails in this adventure learning project, it seemed very appropriate!!!!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tweaking....
I have been tweaking menus this past week. I have looked at static content pages and coordinated them with the menus. I changed the Curriculum Menu Item under Support--I added a Lesson menu category and Course Readings menu category. It seems to me that although our site is dealing with one lesson, we should design it to accommodate all the potential lessons and resources that would be needed.
Also, I have been working on writing a script to use for the training videos--since I will try to redo those to show screen captured video instructions. I would like to rework the "help" videos I did since I was so new to using camstudio and the settings caused the files to be large and unsynched. I watched the video that Mr. P. sent to me--it was a good camstudio tutorial that really helped with the settings.
I have been trying to think of some type of "map" that would suit our curriculum and students. I looked at various components, modules and bots and found some progress bars that I thought might work--however, one is strickly a backend progress bar component for admin--tasks done, etc. The other is a module that doesn't give much in the way of tweaking to fit with our template or purposes. So, I am thinking I will look around. Maybe I can use Inspiration to create a type of map that is tied to the different lessons--like a "You are here" and that would put a spatial map artifact into our site....I will think about it.... The reason I was thinking of it is that it might be nice for students to be able to see how much of the course is completed and the projects that should be completed by that time....a little different than a calendar (which is kind of a map). Well...wish me luck on this....
Actually, what I have decided is that you could tweak a site like this every day 24/7 and there would always be more improvement. I really am beginning to admire the comprehensive coherence of the PolarHusky.com site.
Also, I have been working on writing a script to use for the training videos--since I will try to redo those to show screen captured video instructions. I would like to rework the "help" videos I did since I was so new to using camstudio and the settings caused the files to be large and unsynched. I watched the video that Mr. P. sent to me--it was a good camstudio tutorial that really helped with the settings.
I have been trying to think of some type of "map" that would suit our curriculum and students. I looked at various components, modules and bots and found some progress bars that I thought might work--however, one is strickly a backend progress bar component for admin--tasks done, etc. The other is a module that doesn't give much in the way of tweaking to fit with our template or purposes. So, I am thinking I will look around. Maybe I can use Inspiration to create a type of map that is tied to the different lessons--like a "You are here" and that would put a spatial map artifact into our site....I will think about it.... The reason I was thinking of it is that it might be nice for students to be able to see how much of the course is completed and the projects that should be completed by that time....a little different than a calendar (which is kind of a map). Well...wish me luck on this....
Actually, what I have decided is that you could tweak a site like this every day 24/7 and there would always be more improvement. I really am beginning to admire the comprehensive coherence of the PolarHusky.com site.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Addtions using the Wrapper
I have added a web-page based chat (meebo.com) under the site support called Live Support Chat. The support person is called "adventures.in.class.tech" (not terribly original, but it will do).
I also added a community quiz for registered users under weekly quizzes.
I was having trouble adding html in the Joomla and it not showing up. I am sure there is a fix, but I think the use of the wrapper will work for what we need.
I also added a community quiz for registered users under weekly quizzes.
I was having trouble adding html in the Joomla and it not showing up. I am sure there is a fix, but I think the use of the wrapper will work for what we need.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Wow
The work that has been done on the site looks great. I am looking at adding a quiz few just the powerpoint and then adding one that the only the user can add questions to. I figure this will work and count towards the collaboration pieces until we figure out more options.
The "add to it" quiz will be either added to the regular menu as something only registared user can see or within the user menu. I'll see how it all plays out. I added another lesson to the curriculum and will probably add one or two more. I want to make sure the lessons all come together with where I would like them to be at the end.
The "add to it" quiz will be either added to the regular menu as something only registared user can see or within the user menu. I'll see how it all plays out. I added another lesson to the curriculum and will probably add one or two more. I want to make sure the lessons all come together with where I would like them to be at the end.
Problem with button text resolved...other stuff
I changed the text color for the input button in the CSS file for the site template. It worked like a charm! Once I figured that out, I decided to change some of the colors in the "Forum" so it would integrated with our site template better. It was rather fun!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Working on the Menus...Again...and other stuff
I have been working like a dog on our site! ARF ARF.
Main Menu, User Menus and Static Content
I synched all the static content pages and the menu items so they are in the same order. I did a fair amount of testing on the menus, links, etc. I worked out quite a few bugs.
Under the Main Menu--Added Support/Software, Support/Glossary
I added some software download links--if there is any other software that students would need, feel free to add it! Also worked on the Glossary--added terms for the PowerPoint Glossary.
Documents Upload for Students/Teachers
I reconfigured DocMan Module to accept uploaded files. I set the permissions so that it requires registration and login before you can upload/download files. Guests can browse but not upload or download. Basically, you just register as a user, log-in, go to Main Menu/Support/Documents and click on the category of documents to view. If you are logged-in, you will see a upload button. (or maybe not since the background and button text are white!!!) It works greatl--in fact I uploaded a file from my computer into the Student Documents area.
My Bio
I added my bio, such as it is. I describe myself as tech support.
Under the User Menu--New Tech Forum Topic Added, User Blog
I set up a Technology Support Forum area with three different topics related to user tech support. Check it out!
Working on Site User Manual
I started working on a Site User Manual that will assist users in working with the front-end of the site. I plan to use scribd.com and will wrap the manual into joomla. I did discover one issue with the scribd.com ppt wrap that Bjorn put up--everything is active in the heading--so if you click on it, it brings you into the scribd.com site. So, does this mean that we should have a special scribd.com holding area for our site files so noone gets into our personal files...just wondering???
I will have the manual up in a few days....
Well, over and out, for now....
Friday, April 4, 2008
I have been working on the UserMenu....
I have been playing around with the UserMenu and various components. I am not sure what interactive tools we need for users to collaborate, etc. I did just add components and menu items to see if I could get them to work. I got the Fireboard component working as a discussion forum area, and I also played around with allowing students to upload weblinks. I put together an A-Z glossary and started a PowerPoint specific glossary. Of course, all of the final work is dependent upon what our team decides we need--but at least I know how to put up most of the components now that allow interactivity. The glossary is set-up so that users can upload terms--so feel free to upload terms and definitions.
I also worked on the MainMenu and reorganized it according to Martin's content map. I suppose we also need a map for the UserMenu once the interactive components and user learning needs are determined.
There are a few issues with the template we have chosen--the submit buttons for many of the components use white text and with our white background, the button text cannot be seen. Is there anyway to change submit button text color in the joomla component??? Anyone know???
I also worked on the MainMenu and reorganized it according to Martin's content map. I suppose we also need a map for the UserMenu once the interactive components and user learning needs are determined.
There are a few issues with the template we have chosen--the submit buttons for many of the components use white text and with our white background, the button text cannot be seen. Is there anyway to change submit button text color in the joomla component??? Anyone know???
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