OLAT 7.0 LMS Improves Integration with External Apps -- THE Journal

Learning Management Systems

OLAT 7.0 LMS Improves Integration with External Apps

By David Nagel
10/20/10

The free and open source learning management system OLAT has been updated to version 7.0. The latest release, which rolled out in late September, has gained a new course creation wizard and enhanced integration with external tools.

OLAT (an acronym for "Online Learning And Training") is a free, open source, Java-based LMS, originally developed at Switzerland's University of Zurich, which continues to lead its development. The course-based system is used in a wide range of academic institutions, medical organizations, and computing centers throughout Europe. (A complete list of these institutions, and further information, can be found on the main OLAT server here.)

The latest release gains support for the IMS Question and Test Interoperability (IMS-QTI) specification 2.1, allowing it to share questions and assessments with external tools and repositories, as well as the IMS Basic Learning Tools Interoperability standard (IMS Basic LTI) to allow for integration with other external educational tools.

It also adds a new course creation wizard that allows users to create courses more easily, according to OLAT's developers, specifically those courses that use popular course elements.

Other new features include:

A beta implementation of the REST API for integration with other IT systems;
Support for mail attachments in various components, including contact forms and user visiting cards;
Browser side caching for course media; and
Simplified deployment using a .war file.

It also includes general enhancements to calendars, searches, notifications, help, and topic assignments. Several bug fixes are also included in the update.

OLAT 7.0 is available now. Complete release notes can be found here. Downloads and links to additional documentation can be found here. A list of worldwide third-party OLAT services and support providers can be found here.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .

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