OpenOlat is a web-based learning management system for teaching, education, assessment and communication. The name OpenOLAT stands for Open Online Learning And Training, highlighting its open source and online nature. OpenOlat is open source software and is being developed by frentix GmbH starting in 2011. OpenOlat is based on the LMS OLAT developed by the University of Zurich.
History
OpenOlat originated from the open source project OLAT. In 2011, the University of Zurich initiated a massive refactoring project with the goal of redesigning the complete code base and switching to the Mercurial version control system. With the start of the refactoring, repository access for contributors from the OLAT community was revoked, making further contributions impossible. Since then, the OLAT developers practice open source only in the form of publishing finished source code, but lack any kind of community involvement. Because of these changes to OLAT, the OpenOlat fork was initiated in 2011. OpenOLAT is an alternative to OLAT that follows an open development process and encourages community involvement. The initiator of this new project is frentix GmbH, a spin-off of the University of Zurich, which was founded by one of the founders of OLAT and which provided commercial services for OLAT up to 2011. Since frentix was founded in 2006, the company has contributed major features to the OLAT code base and was responsible for a large part of the bug fixing.
For commercial customers, frentix provided OLATpro until the end of 2011, which contained features that were not a part of the public release. With the inception of OpenOlat, many of the frentix features from the pro OLATpro release were ported to the public OpenOlat open source release.frentix startet Open Source Initiative: OpenOLAT Blog entry, December 12, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
In 2020, OpenOlat integrated open source editors from OnlyOffice to allow members to collaboratively edit text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online.
Releases Updates are released regularly, which not only improve the interface, but also introduce new features.
In release 8.2, the group management system was significantly improved. Release 8.3 added the OpenMeetings integration, and release 8.4 brought major changes to the chat infrastructure while also improving the performance and stability of the whole system.
Release 9.0 replaced the JavaScript framework ExtJS with the more light-weight jQuery, for which the whole JavaScript layer was refactored. In addition, the question pool was introduced, which allows collaborative creation and sharing of test questions.
Version 10.0, includes a complete redesign of all visual aspects of OpenOLAT. The introduction of a responsive design paradigm based on Bootstrap makes OpenOLAT ready for mobile devices and small screen sizes. Also, the learning resources were divided into separate areas for learners and authors, making them more intuitive and easier to use.
Release 11.0 has completely revised the test infrastructure and changed to the IMS QTI 2.1 format. Furthermore, the eAssessment was expanded on various levels. In addition, a new portfolio was implemented.
OpenOlat Release 14.0 brought changes to the file system, which allowed the integration of different document editors, as well as enhancements to the administration. A new course element "Livestream" was implemented, and older course elements were also improved.
Release 15.0 introduced an easier way to learn through the new "Learning Path"; one of several improvements that enhanced the interface. In addition, new course elements were added, such as "BigBlueButton". For more privacy, the option to activate a privacy policy, as well as terms of use, is now available.
Release 16.0 brought the 3G Covid certificate, as well as several revisions, such as a display of test durations in the eAssessment section. A new copy wizard for learning path courses was implemented. There have also been added personalization options, as well as usability and interface enhancements.
Release 17.0 brings with it the new course element "Practice", as well as further revisions to task elements and folder components. With Catalog 2.0, "Search and Filter" is now improved as well. For certain organizations, the revised sharing and posting configuration might be exciting. Since this release, new OAuth login providers are supported and Zoom has also been added to the list of video conferencing tools.
The 18.0 release introduces the "Projects" section as well as the Media Center and Badges. Old course elements have been improved and new ones have been added, such as "JupyterHub". The quality management module was also improved. In the UX / Usability section, many updates were implemented, as well as accessibility improvements making the orientation more coherent. Thanks to "Passkey", logging in has become even more uncomplicated.
Release 19.0 expanded the folder component, a central "File Hub" and "Share Point" integration. New learning and assessment features, such as the new peer review and rubric-based assessment and the newly introduced topic broker were added, which are enhanced by the new course element "Selection".
Release 20.0 brought along the Course Planner, which supports the organization of courses with the help of several features, such as widgets course templates, a public catalog and many more. The new automated certificate program integrates recertification and credit points.
Features OpenOlat offers a lot of features for learners and teachers. A set of building blocks allow teachers to create courses using a variety of didactic methods while incorporating communication, collaboration and assessment. More learning resources and tools are available outside of the course system. Learning resources can also be made available to non-registered users, so-called guests. Using different booking methods, courses can also be made available at a cost.
OpenOlat contains many elements typical for learning management systems:
Learning Content Management System: Create and manage learning content using integrated editors for HTML, IMS CP and IMS QTI Courseware: Course system providing a variety of building blocks and fine-grained rules for visibility and access Personal Learning Environment: Learning, assessment including evidence of achievement, personal notes Groupware: Work in learning groups, using collaboration tools like a wiki, a forum, shared folders, and more Course catalog Resource folder with document versioning Coaching feature with logs Assessments and self-tests with different question types, surveys Task module and topic assignment WYSIWYG HTML editor Internationalization: OpenOlat is translated to more than 25 languages User management, with import features Role and rights management Supports most browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Edge) Integrates with existing systems, via REST API, LDAP, oAuth, Shibboleth, BigBlueButton and Zoom Course Planner: Manage all phases of course organization Certificate Program: Framework for issuing, validating, and recertifying certificates
Courses and learning resources
The course system is the central element in OpenOlat. It is separated into areas for learners and authors. Users with author roles can create and manage courses and learning resources in the authoring environment. Using the various learning resources, many different learning scenarios can be represented in the integrated course editor, including areas for cooperation and collaboration. Learning resources can be created or imported, and can be integrated into one or even multiple courses by creating a reference. Changing a referenced learning resource changes it in all places where is used.
The following learning resources are available in OpenOlat:
Courses: The OpenOlat course is a container format and OpenOlat's own document type. The course allows to map different didactic scenarios through the course editor, in which any number of course elements and learning resources can be integrated. CP-Lerninhalt: IMS Content Package, short IMS CP, is a learning content in a standardized e-learning format. An IMS CP can either be created in your own CP editor or imported. OpenOlat supports the IMS CP version 1.1.2. SCORM: Sharable Content Object Reference Model, another standardized e-learning format for learning content. Any version 1.2 SCORM modules can be imported into OpenOlat. Wiki, Podcasts and Blogs Portfolio template: Portfolio templates are integrated into courses as portfolio tasks. Thus, learning outcomes and learning processes are documented. IMS-QTI-Tests: Tests can be included in OpenOlat as exam tests or as self-tests. Tests in IMS QTI 2.1 format can either be imported or created in the test editor. Resource folder: Resource folders are used to store documents and files that are either to be available in different courses or to be included as folders in the catalog. Glossary: A glossary can be used to display explanations of terms in learning content without including them in the learning content itself. Forms: In order to collect data, it is made possible for course owners to create surveys with forms that participants can fill out anonymously. Video: Videos can be imported from the Internet through links or as .mp4 files. You can configure them and add quizzes, annotations, jump tags and add subtitles to them. Others: In OpenOlat there are other file types that can be imported, such as PDF, PowerPoint, Excel and Word files, as well as image, music and animations. Word, Excel or PowerPoint files can be created directly in OpenOlat as a learning resource.
Tests and assessment (eAssessment)
Tests in OpenOlat are used to quiz participants and to prepare them for final exams. Tests can be created and managed in the authoring environment or directly in the course editor. They can either be imported or created using the built-in QTI test editor. OpenOlat supports the IMS-QTI format, version 2.1. Version 1.2 was definitely discontinued with the release of OpenOlat 16.0. The forms learning resource is useful for surveys. With the assessment tool and the test statistics, tests and questionnaires can be evaluated.
Different types of tests and tasks: Test, Self-test, Survey, Portfolio task, Task, Video task, Group task Different question types: Multiple Choice, Single Choice, Gap text (with dropdown), Kprim, Essay, Match, Drag&Drop, Hottext, Hotspot, Upload file and Drawing, True/False, Numerical Input, Order, File Upload, Drawing Test questions: Question pool and randomized order; Feedback options Editing options can be set: Time allowed for completion, allowed attempts, note function; allow cancellation or interruption Time limit can be set Display options in the course: Full screen, menu navigation on/off, question display, result display Result assessment per test and per user including export Graphical test assessment with key figures and bar charts
Assessment mode The assessment mode in OpenOlat is a course functionality that allows to run tests or exams with whole courses in protected mode during a specified time. Exams can be restricted to specific user groups. Exam security can be increased by means of restrictions on IP addresses. The exam can be performed in kiosk mode if it is mandatory to use the Safe Exam Browser for the exam.
Question bank