1.1.2. Manual's Structure

This manual consists of four parts. The chapters 1 - 3 deal with the Introduction to this Learning Platform. Chapter 2 concentrates on OLAT's basics. You will learn that OLAT is an open-source learning platform with several different OLAT user roles at your disposal. Chapter 3 shows you how to register in OLAT, how to use further features on the login page, and finally how to log off.

In the second part you will learn How to Use OLAT. Please read Chapter 4 after registering and choosing an OLAT user name in order to get further information on its structure and different possibilities to configure your homepage, the so-called «Home.» The following Chapter 5 deals with OLAT's concept of groups, e.g. which group types are feasible in various scenarios. Let yourself get inspired and create your own didactic concept. Chapter 6 concentrates on OLAT's primary concern, on learning resources. There are different types of learning resources and this chapter also tells you how to find learning content. Should you have difficulties while working on some learning content you can get help in Chapter 7. Course elements as well as possible learning activities will be explained from the participant's point of view.

Do you want to create courses for yourself? The third part of this manual is dedicated to the Creation of Learning Content. Chapter 8 contains step-by-step instructions on how to prepare a course before authorizing course participants to get access. Course elements as well as feasible configurations in the course editor will be described in detail in the following Chapter 9.

If you want to create further learning resources to be included in your course the following chapters will be useful: «Creating CP Learning Content», «Creating Wikis», «Creating Podcasts», «Creating Blogs», «Creating Tasks», «Creating Portfolio Tasks», «Managing Topics of Topic Assignments», and «Creating Tests and Questionnaires».

Your learning content is now completed, published, and frequently used by course participants. Chapter 18 will tell you where to find course results, where to assess achievements or how to archive your learning content after your course's completion.

In the fourth part, in Chapter 19, you can make yourself familiar with technologies and tools that will facilitate your work within OLAT. We recommend these tools that complement OLAT's features since many OLAT users can tell you about their positive experience they have made over the years.

Depending on your OLAT user role you will be interested in various chapters of this manual. The chapters 1 - 4 and 7 describe features that are at the disposal of all OLAT users. Chapter 5 and 6 first deal with information regarding all users. The second part then concentrates on specific author features. The chapters 8 - 18 are only relevant for OLAT users without any author rights if a course author has provided these users with certain tasks, e.g. the mentoring of groups. Chapter 19 can help authors who work with OLAT regularly and who want to get familiar with further auxiliary technologies.