1. Andy Meal & Heather Wharrad

2. Background Set of CAL packages written 10 - 15 years ago using Authorware. 14 CAL packages – cell biology for nursing degree students Originally only delivered via University intranet Authorware plug in has allowed some availability on internet up to 2 hours student learning each Still used on undergraduate Masters nursing course

4. Wharrad, Kent, Allcock & Wood, (2000) Workshop CAL

5. Early lessons (students)……… ‘Can do it at own pace and in your own time- can go back if unclear about anything, good for revision.’(cohort 1997) ‘CAL good presentation as lectures took a long time and concentration is lost.’(cohort 1995) ‘It’s hard staring at a screen for so long’(cohort 1997) ‘CAL packages in moderation are good because you have to find the answers yourself.’(cohort 1997) Flexibility, in moderation, short, interactive, self- directed, not totally replacing FTF

6. Early lessons (lecturers) Developing large packages – time, cost, updating Wanted to use some elements of CAL (diversity - range of courses; types of students; specialisms) Based on educational need not technology led (areas of difficulty - maths; science; statistics) Added value (visualisation of scientific processes; linking theory to clinical practice)

7. Repurposing project Needed updating, and re-packaging due to impending obsolescence of Authorware locally make the material more widely available/reusable Students prefer small chunks; more portable/flexible University learning team repurposing other university CAL materials

8. Xerte Toolkits Part of Xerte Project - University learning team Open source set of templates that are accessible via a web browser Lecturer works with learning team developer to design and produce a template Template from this project available for others Allows for integration of text, graphics and sound. Various interactivity templates e.g quizzes Once template produced requires little technical or programming knowledge.

9. Process Uses a simple form to populate and customise the template Copy and paste material into the form – always available for editing (fits in with lecturers busy schedule ) Results are rapid: previews can be seen immediately after changes are made. simple graphics can be produced in the toolkits, but best results are from imported graphics then add labels Animations, sound and video are supported.

10. Demo of toolkit templates

11. Advantages Rapid Easy to use Use existing materials Accessible via a web browser. Simple interface. Rigid nature of the templates ensures some consistency in design? Minimal technologist input required?

12. Disadvantages Early teething problems, due to the rigidity of the templates More complex animations require developer unusual or bespoke presentations or interactivity require specialist help. Currently some incompatibility with Flash versions Inflexible in some areas eg italics, bulleted lists, have to be generated by adding html commands.

13. In short... If you work within its parameters Xerte template offers a quick and easy authoring environment for non- technicians. Student feedback required to determine satisfaction with design and effectiveness overall Xerte toolkit potentially very useful – needs more templates Download from http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/xerte/http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/xerte/ Acknowledgements: University of Nottingham Learning Team