Atutor
Summary
Atutor is a web application, open source and popular learning content management system (LCMS/LMS). Social networking learning environment easy and quick for administrators to install and update due to its technology features. Used for different purposes such as continuous education, teachers’ professional development and academic research among others. Educators count on a varied series of tools that allow them to design courses simulating common learning practices in face to face learning. Its tools open the scenario for administrators and instructors to design courses to expose students to meaningful and challenging activities.
By being a social networking tool, its collaboration features allow people to create communities where they can discuss and exchange ideas on a topic or even a project. Members can work together to produce different outcomes from simple presentations to research projects and authoring document projects. Due to its synchronous and asynchronous tools, participants can have access to different types of interaction according to their needs. Instructors can create work groups manually or automatically for different purposes.
Among the tools to enrich the learning environment, users and educators can rely on chat, blog, forums, Acollab add-on where members can work together in document development and publication. Additionally atalker allows the incorporation of reading loud texts in English and Spanish. Likewise, administrators, educators and learners can keep track of their learning progress through test, survey and poll tools. They can obtain feedback from learners on the effectiveness of the course and the tool through simple polls. Its technology features allow the tool to be used in a broad range of technology systems. Its compliance with international technology standards and Multilanguage interface (translation available in more than fifty languages) make the access possible for different language communities and people with disabilities. It is equipped with Achecker which is a tool that allows course designers to check if the content they post is accessible to every user. Likewise it counts with security tools that allow both learners to keep safe their files and access to the course and administrators and instructors control unauthorized content in the course. Free support is in only available through the community of users.
This tool is an online learning environment that provides interesting and varied tools that facilitate collaboration among learning communities. It is a scenario for several learning and academic production purposes. It includes a good amount of features worthy to surf and explore.
Overall Evaluation
This learning tool can be an excellent online resource. As per our opinion, one of the most enriching features of this tool is related with its collaborative nature. It offers users different tools where they can interact together synchronically and asynchronically in the same learning environment. However, its inbox messaging system allows members to keep private communication among them. Users are informed about updates in the page through calendar and notifications. Due to its open source nature, this tool is constantly renovated in terms of the tools available that make the learning environment more effective. Its technology requirements do not demand users to invest in high cost technology and the number of tools in use is not a reason to affect its efficiency. This is not a concern on quality since its technology features meet high technology international standards. File storage is another advantage since it allows users to have their own file storage utility and share information across groups or with a course. In terms of access, the different strategies such as the use of icons, instructions, models and video to illustrate how to use the tool, facilitate user navigation. Its all-including feature is an attractive element for those educators who want to involve non English speaking members and people with disabilities due to its assistive technology and Multilanguage language packages. Educators count on a multiple number of tools that allow them to expand their creativity to promote interaction and challenge students´ construction of knowledge. Tools such as chat, forums, blog, workgroups, and acollab and atalker add-ons facilitate the simulation of face to face instruction. Sections such as Glossary, Link Data base and Course Search promote autonomous behaviours on learners to cope with the difficulties they may face when interacting in the course. In terms of learning progress, tools such as tests, surveys and polls allow both teachers and learners keep track on their process and the assessment of the tool. Another positive aspect that may enhance users´ confidence is related to security and control issues. Encrypted systems guarantee access information in terms of users and course content. One of the weaknesses of this learning environment is given in terms of technical support. Due to its open source essence, if users require support they have two options: pay for it or rely on the other users through forums to be assisted.
Summary
Atutor is a web application, open source and popular learning content management system (LCMS/LMS). Social networking learning environment easy and quick for administrators to install and update due to its technology features. Used for different purposes such as continuous education, teachers’ professional development and academic research among others. Educators count on a varied series of tools that allow them to design courses simulating common learning practices in face to face learning. Its tools open the scenario for administrators and instructors to design courses to expose students to meaningful and challenging activities.
By being a social networking tool, its collaboration features allow people to create communities where they can discuss and exchange ideas on a topic or even a project. Members can work together to produce different outcomes from simple presentations to research projects and authoring document projects. Due to its synchronous and asynchronous tools, participants can have access to different types of interaction according to their needs. Instructors can create work groups manually or automatically for different purposes.
Among the tools to enrich the learning environment, users and educators can rely on chat, blog, forums, Acollab add-on where members can work together in document development and publication. Additionally atalker allows the incorporation of reading loud texts in English and Spanish. Likewise, administrators, educators and learners can keep track of their learning progress through test, survey and poll tools. They can obtain feedback from learners on the effectiveness of the course and the tool through simple polls. Its technology features allow the tool to be used in a broad range of technology systems. Its compliance with international technology standards and Multilanguage interface (translation available in more than fifty languages) make the access possible for different language communities and people with disabilities. It is equipped with Achecker which is a tool that allows course designers to check if the content they post is accessible to every user. Likewise it counts with security tools that allow both learners to keep safe their files and access to the course and administrators and instructors control unauthorized content in the course. Free support is in only available through the community of users.
This tool is an online learning environment that provides interesting and varied tools that facilitate collaboration among learning communities. It is a scenario for several learning and academic production purposes. It includes a good amount of features worthy to surf and explore.
Overall Evaluation
This learning tool can be an excellent online resource. As per our opinion, one of the most enriching features of this tool is related with its collaborative nature. It offers users different tools where they can interact together synchronically and asynchronically in the same learning environment. However, its inbox messaging system allows members to keep private communication among them. Users are informed about updates in the page through calendar and notifications. Due to its open source nature, this tool is constantly renovated in terms of the tools available that make the learning environment more effective. Its technology requirements do not demand users to invest in high cost technology and the number of tools in use is not a reason to affect its efficiency. This is not a concern on quality since its technology features meet high technology international standards. File storage is another advantage since it allows users to have their own file storage utility and share information across groups or with a course. In terms of access, the different strategies such as the use of icons, instructions, models and video to illustrate how to use the tool, facilitate user navigation. Its all-including feature is an attractive element for those educators who want to involve non English speaking members and people with disabilities due to its assistive technology and Multilanguage language packages. Educators count on a multiple number of tools that allow them to expand their creativity to promote interaction and challenge students´ construction of knowledge. Tools such as chat, forums, blog, workgroups, and acollab and atalker add-ons facilitate the simulation of face to face instruction. Sections such as Glossary, Link Data base and Course Search promote autonomous behaviours on learners to cope with the difficulties they may face when interacting in the course. In terms of learning progress, tools such as tests, surveys and polls allow both teachers and learners keep track on their process and the assessment of the tool. Another positive aspect that may enhance users´ confidence is related to security and control issues. Encrypted systems guarantee access information in terms of users and course content. One of the weaknesses of this learning environment is given in terms of technical support. Due to its open source essence, if users require support they have two options: pay for it or rely on the other users through forums to be assisted.
